Leveraging Workiva for your ESG Report Design

Workiva’s Content Management and Design Capabilities

The unique features of Workiva’s ESG platform include:

Data Collection and Audit Trails

1. Linking to data tables within the ESG report.
   • Data collection is one of the most important aspects of ESG reporting. It is also one of the most challenging. The built-in and linked data tables in Workiva provide companies greater ease and transparency, allowing multiple parties to view and update their data. Companies can also link data tables directly to their ESG report so that when the data updates in the tables, it also automatically updates in the report.
   • Using the data tables and linking them to their sections within an ESG report helps companies better manage and verify data coming from different parts of the company on different topics.
   • Cross-functional and global teams are able to collaborate within the ESG platform, allowing for ease of use and scaling opportunities.
   • This creates a single source of truth and transparency, which is critical for tracking, organizing, and future proofing.
2. A collaborative work environment while maintaining version control. ESG reporting is a team sport. That is why many companies choose a reporting tool that can capture information spanning multiple departments across the globe, all while maintaining version control.
   • Setting up permissions. Creating teams or groups with specific permissions is a powerful feature of Workiva’s ESG platform, a feature carried over from financial reporting. Users can set up report section access for only the subject matter experts (SMEs) needed to added and review information in that section, maintaining audit trail controls.
   • Tagging and commenting. One of the easiest-to-use features of Workiva is the ability to tag and leave comments for colleagues or consultants. As teams work inside the report, anyone with access can be tagged directly on the pages and sections where their input is needed. This becomes invaluable when working with an external writer and/or advisor to elevate content, a design team assisting with overall design and graphics, or with SMEs to discuss and/or note changes.
3. Ease of reviews and approvals.
   • Reviewing inside of Workiva. Document owners have the ability to grant permissions on a granular level to manage who can access which information and how they are able to interact with it, whether editing or commenting only. This is easy to adjust as you go through your review cycles to manage input from different stakeholder groups like leadership and subject matter experts (SMEs).
   • Trail of approvals and edits by name and date. All approvals, comments and audit trails are tracked and contained within Workiva and can be referenced as needed.

Design

We understand how to make your design needs come to life in Workiva’s ESG platform.

1. Content informs design. One of our mantras at Labrador is that content should drive design choices, both in overall look-and-feel as well as in graphic representations of specific information. The partnership between Labrador and Workiva allows for the design to change as the content changes. Our strategists will provide insight into how to best apply information design principles across your report, while our expert operators will produce and implement the elements to meet your design goals.
2. Design enhancements. Labrador is one of the few design and communications firms that works with Workiva to beta-test design features. This leads to more comprehensively designed reports that have elements like layered text boxes and floating objects that elevate the look and consistency of the report design.