Considering Report Design in Workiva?
If you’re already using Workiva for data, then content development is a logical step. But what’s your best path forward for the complete report workflow? How can you maximize your platform investment while maintaining design quality?
You have three options. We’ll build from the least integrated to most and know that many choose to try a little at a time rather than jumping in all at once. The right choice depends on the right balance of getting more done with existing resources and meeting your organization’s specific needs.
All approaches start with content living in Workiva—that’s where you get the collaboration, data linking, and version control advantages you’re already experiencing. The strategic decision is how to handle design and production for your team.
What to Think About
Before diving into the options, consider three key factors:
- Team dynamics: How many people review content in layout? How frequently do you make changes during design? Will SMEs and Senior Management really hop on the platform?
- Brand & Design priorities: How critical is branding and information visualization? If your sustainability report serves as a flagship brand document with many rich infographics, maintaining design flexibility may be essential. Workiva does have limitations.
- Change management: How ready is your organization to adapt existing workflows? Some approaches require more process change but offer more integrated experiences. Others require less disruption but may not maximize your Workiva investment.
Getting this decision right affects workflow efficiency, team productivity, and your ability to maintain brand standards.
Your Options
At Ideas On Purpose, we’re Workiva Advanced Design Reporting certified, and we have collaborated successfully through all three approaches. Each has produced excellent results when matched to the right organizational context and priorities, helping you do more with existing resources while improving your final product.
Option 1: Content Development in Workiva, Traditional Design Process
Use Workiva for content development, share widely and get the content close to final. Then export the content and begin a traditional design and production workflow.
Best for: Highly designed reports, streamlined review process, gradual adoption.
Trade-off: Doesn’t fully leverage Workiva’s collaborative potential, if you want the Workiva content up-to-date once you’ve moved into a PDF-led review process, someone needs to reflect changes made in the PDF into Workiva as well.
Option 2: Content in Workiva, Design & Production in InDesign via ICML
Content collaboration in Workiva, professional design via linked InDesign files.
Best for: When you need sophisticated design with Workiva’s content benefits.
Trade-off: Separate review processes for content and design; manage schedule carefully.
Option 3: Full Process in Workiva
Everything stays within the platform. Real-time collaboration, synchronized content and design.
Best for: Large teams with complex, multi-stakeholder review processes where content changes often occur after layout.
Trade-off: Design limitations compared to professional tools; may need to consider a hybrid approach for infographics.
Ideas On Purpose Can Help
Ready to determine the best approach for your organization? Contact us to discuss your specific situation and walk through real examples of how each method works in practice.
Ideas On Purpose has over 25 years of experience creating award-winning sustainability reports and communications. Our team combines strategic messaging with design excellence to help organizations tell compelling sustainability stories that drive stakeholder engagement, no matter the production process.