Visualizing Flows: Unveil the Power of Sankey Charts

Sankey diagrams, named after Mark Monier-Fleming, who introduced them in the San Francisco Examiner in 1873 to visualize the flows of water and steam in steamships and power plants, have evolved into a versatile tool for data visualization. These charts are particularly effective at showing the flow or transfer between different data sets and the proportion of the flow at each point. Despite their complex appearance, Sankey diagrams are an accessible way to present complex data in a clear and attractive format. In this article, we’ll delve into how to create a Sankey chart, the various applications of Sankey diagrams, and how they can help us understand the complex dynamics of data flows.

Understanding Sankey Diagrams

Sankey diagrams consist of a set of parallel bars, usually with a varying width, that represent discrete steps or stages in the flow process. Each bar is labeled with an input or output value. The width of the bar is proportional to how much of the flow is allocated to that particular phase, helping to illustrate the distribution of the data. The length and width of the connection lines between bars indicate the magnitude of the flow from one phase to another, making it easy to identify patterns and trends in the data.

How to Create a Sankey Chart

The creation of a Sankey chart involves several steps:

1. Data Collection: Gather the necessary data regarding the flow of information or materials from one stage to another.

2. Data Preparation: Ensure the data is organized clearly into inputs and outputs for each phase. This usually involves arranging the data as a table with columns for phases, inputs, and outputs.

3. Selecting a Tool: Utilize a visualization tool or data analysis software capable of creating Sankey diagrams. Many data visualization tools and programming language libraries, like Python’s Plotly or R’s ggplot2, offer the capability to create Sankey diagrams.

4. Creating the Diagram:

   • Layout the Charts: Decide on the number of phases and the order in which they will be represented in the diagram.
   • Define Inputs and Outputs: Represent the inputs and outputs appropriately in the chart, ensuring they are proportional in their contribution to the flow.
   • Connect Flows: Draw the relationships between the phases, adjusting the width and length of the lines to reflect the magnitude of the flows.

Applications of Sankey Diagrams

Sankey diagrams are beneficial across various sectors for their ability to visualize complex data:

Economic Analysis: They can illustrate the allocation of resources in economies, showing how much money flows from production, to retail, to consumers.

Energy Consumption: Used to show the flow of energy from different sources into consumption stages and the losses at each stage.

Logistic Flows: Great for analyzing product distribution processes, from warehouses to retail stores.

Healthcare Systems: Sankey diagrams can highlight the distribution of patients among healthcare facilities, showing how many are admitted or discharged from each stage of treatment.

Information Technology: They are used to analyze data flows in databases, networks, and information systems, showing how data is processed and distributed.

Conclusion

Sankey diagrams offer a powerful way to visualize the complex flow of information or materials among various stages or processes. Their simplicity in representation allows for complex data to be understood by a wide audience. Whether it’s analyzing the energy distribution in a power plant, tracing the flow of money in an economy, or mapping out the steps of a consumer’s purchasing decision, Sankey diagrams provide a clear, visual representation that is easy to interpret. By leveraging the power of Sankey charts, professionals and researchers alike can uncover valuable insights into their data, enabling informed decision-making and better understanding of the complex systems they analyze.

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.