Workiva is becoming an increasingly important tool in helping companies navigate reporting complexity and ensuring that all parts of a business are connected and aligned on the numbers and narrative driving performance.
Like all new systems, a shift to Workiva means new ways of doing things, new processes and a change of workflow. Our extensive knowledge of how the platform works is a major benefit to our established Workiva clients and, for those new to the journey, here is our list of the 10 must do activities that help to take the pain of change away.
- Engage early with your agency
Start collaborating with your agency as early as possible ahead of the reporting period to ensure sufficient time for alignment, process optimisation and integration of the Workiva platform.
- Align with auditors and the right implementation partner
Engage your auditors early and select the right Workiva implementation partner (good sector knowledge is key) to ensure smooth onboarding, compliance and platform integration for seamless reporting.
- Co-ordinate with IT and security teams early
As Workiva is cloud-based, involve your IT and security teams early on to address any data security or integration concerns, ensuring a secure and compliant set-up.
- Designate chapter owners and restrict editing access for consistency
Assign specific chapter owners to ensure accountability for consistency and tone of voice within their sections of the report. Additionally, limit editing access in Workiva to a smaller group of contributors to maintain uniformity in tone, formatting and content quality across all sections.
- Plan for regular training sessions
Schedule periodic training sessions to keep your team updated on Workiva’s features and workflows, ensuring new and existing team members can maximise the platform’s potential.
- Test the workflow – start with half-year reports on Workiva
Start small by testing the workflow with half-year reports to familiarise teams with Workiva’s functionalities, resolving any potential issues.
- Educate teams on the creative impact of using Workiva
Ensure your teams understand how creative decisions, such as design and data visualisation, will impact timelines and workflows within Workiva to avoid delays.
- Host an annual report workshop for all key content owners
Organise a workshop to educate key stakeholders on how to write effective annual reports, leveraging Workiva’s platform features for a smooth process.
- Leverage the benefits of native platform collaboration
Develop a streamlined process that capitalises on the platform’s strengths, enabling real-time collaboration. Utilise built-in communication and commenting tools to enhance teamwork, ensure clarity and maintain alignment throughout the reporting process.
- Consider the wider communications opportunity for a strong, consistent story
Workiva at its best offers a way to a single source of truth. This in turn can support a write once, publish everywhere approach, allowing you to push out a consistent narrative to your key audiences. This is a great opportunity to consider your digital ecosystem and channels such as social to make sure your story connects with all your key stakeholders.
If you are new to Workiva or just looking to find a more proactive partner, why not reach out and speak to one of our certified superusers? We’d be delighted to give you a fresh perspective or to help get you started.