Add metrics to ESG Program topics

To help track and manage data collection for an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Program's values, you can add metrics to their respective topics. Each ESG topic can include multiple metrics; for example, a Scope 1 emissions topic may include multiple metrics to track values based on different sources, such as Stationary combustion, Mobile combustion, and Refrigerants.

You can enter values directly in a metric, or pull them from a connected source file or Workiva Tasks.

Step 1. Add the metric

Tip: To quickly add a metric, you can duplicate a metric already on the topic, such as to start with the same framework references, program tags, or request details.

1. From the ESG Program, open the topic to add the metric to.
2. From the topic, add the metric:
   
   • To add a metric from scratch, click Add metric.
     
   • To add a metric similar to one already on the topic, select Duplicate from that metric's menu.
     
     

     Note: If you duplicate a metric connected to a source, the new metric's value needs its own connected Spreadsheet cell. Each Spreadsheet cell can connect to only one metric.

3. To help identify the new metric, double-click and edit its name. 
   

Step 2. Enter the metric's details

In Metric details, provide information about the metric:

1. To provide additional context about the metric, enter a description.

   Tip: From the metric's menu, you can select to show or hide its description, such as to remove an empty field or only view lengthy content on-demand.

   
2. In Related ESG content, specify the ESG Explorer content the metric aligns with, such as specific framework disclosures and standards. 
3. In Program tags, select any additional information your organization tracks for its ESG metrics.
4. In Reference attachments, upload any files about the overall metric, such as reporting guidelines or example formulas.

Step 3. Set up data collection

A metric can collect a single annual value, or multiple values throughout the year or based on a custom dimension.

Tip: From the Configure metric panel, Workspace Owners can set up custom dimensions to collect multiple values for the same metric, such as for different locations, business units, or demographics.

From the Configure metric panel, set up the type of values to collect.

1. From the metric, click Configure metric.
   
2. In Collection frequency, select how often to collect the metric's values — Yearly, Quarterly, or Monthly.
3. In Value type, select the type of data to collect for the metric:
   • Number, such as for a quantitative value or measurement
   • Currency, for a monetary amount
   • Percent, for a percentage or rate
   • Text, such as for a qualitative response
   • Date, such as for time-based data
4. For a Number, Currency, or Percent, select its unit of measurement.
5. In Metric dimensions, select any custom dimension to base data collection on.

Step 4. Assign data collection

When you add a topic to an ESG Program, it automatically creates a process to track its metrics' data collection. In Metric assignment, specify workspace members to collect the metric's values through either a connected source file or Workiva Tasks.

Note: When you add a metric, the Program automatically adds its values' tasks to its process, assigned to you.

For each time period of the metric's data collection:

1. In Assignee and Task due, select the member to collect the value, and set their due date.
   
2. In Approver and Approval due, select the member to verify the metric's value, and set their due date.
3. In Instructions, enter any guidance to help the assignee and approver complete their tasks, such as:
   • Details about the value or data to collect
   • Any related framework-specific guidance
   • The context of the value's narrative in the reporting output

Step 5. Set up the metric's values

To provide a metric's values, you can:

• Enter them directly in the metric, such as if you want the ESG Program to be the source of truth.
• Pull them from connected source files, such as a data collection spreadsheet or policy document.
• Request workspace members to collect and approve them through Workiva Tasks.

You can collect a single value for a time period or multiple values based on a selected dimension.

Step 6. Send data collection tasks

After you set up the metric, send tasks to its assignees:

• To send tasks to only the metric's assignees, click Send task on the metric or value. 
• To send tasks to the assignees for all of the topic's metrics that are ready for data collection, click Send tasks on the topic. 
  

Tip: When an assignee completes their task, the approver will receive a task to verify the value. You can track the status of data collection from the metric or its ESG Program or topic.