Visual Vistas: Mastering the Art of Sankey’s Surprising Stories
In the world of data visualization, certain chart types stand out for their unique ability to tell complex stories with simplicity and elegance. One such chart is the Sankey diagram, a visual marvel that has the power to unravel intricate data flows with minimal fuss. This article delves into the art and science of creating Sankey charts, exploring their surprising applications across various fields.
What is a Sankey Chart?
First conceptualized by the 19th-century engineer Matthew Sankey, Sankey diagrams are designed to diagram the flow of energy or material through a system in a process-oriented manner. They are named after John Sankey, who popularized their use in steam-engine studies. In a Sankey diagram, the quantity of material or energy is represented by width of arrows, allowing the viewer to easily identify where the systems are losing or gaining energy.
These charts feature nodes at the beginning and end of the process and a series of branches that connect them, illustrating the flow of items such as money, water, electricity, or fuel. Sankey diagrams are unique in their ability to show the whole process as a single, intuitive flow.
Creating an Effective Sankey Chart
To create an impactful Sankey diagram, it’s essential to follow some key steps and best practices:
1. Identify the Data
The first step in creating a Sankey chart is to determine what you want to represent. Common applications include:
- Energy flow in a building or an industrial process
- Financial flow within an organization
- Information flow on a website
- Environmental impact
Ensure that you have the necessary data to map out the flow and that it is quantifiable and reliable.
2. Plan the Diagram Structure
Decide which elements you will represent as nodes (start, end, or intermediate points of the process) and pathways (channels through which material or energy flows). It is critical to plan the overall structure to tell the story you intend to convey.
3. Use Software to Design
Choose appropriate software for your Sankey diagram design. There are several dedicated tools like Sankey Flow, Gephi, or even more general design software with Sankey layout options, such as Tableau or Excel with Power BI integration.
4. Layout and Sizing the Arrows
Sankey diagrams typically show a lot of data, so the layout and sizing of the flow arrows are crucial. The width of each arrow should accurately represent the amount of material or energy being transferred.
5. Labeling Elements
Adding relevant labels to nodes, branches, and arrows is essential to communicate clearly. Ensure that your labels align with the direction of the flow and are legible against the background.
6. Choosing a Suitable Scale
Choosing an appropriate scale and unit of measurement is important for the reader to understand the sizes depicted. The scale should be consistent across the chart.
Applications of Sankey Charts
Sankey diagrams have a surprising array of applications across various domains:
Energy and Environment
Sankey diagrams are widely used in energy flow studies to visualize energy efficiency and to identify hotspots where energy is lost. They can also depict material flows in waste management or resource efficiency projects.
Business Analysis
In finance, marketing, and sales, Sankey diagrams represent the flow of money or the customer journey, providing insights into efficiency and opportunities for improvement.
Systems Engineering
sankey diagrams show the flow of information or materials in complex systems, such as transportation networks and information processing systems, aiding in optimizing the system.
Information Communication
They are used to visualize network traffic in the internet, flow of information in a website’s hierarchy, or even the flow of emails in an organization.
Conclusion
As an invaluable tool in the data visualization repertoire, Sankey diagrams have the power to transform complex data into accessible narratives. Understanding how to create an effective Sankey chart requires careful planning and attention to detail. By following these guidelines, you will be well on your way to mastering the surprising art of Sankey’s stories and wielding the power of this fascinating charting technique in your own right.
SankeyMaster
SankeyMaster is your go-to tool for creating complex Sankey charts . Easily enter data and create Sankey charts that accurately reveal intricate data relationships.
