Number of sales or client transactions during the reporting period.
Organizations should footnote all assumptions used, including source of data.
This metric is intended to capture the number of total transactions with clients during the reporting period, which can include repeat sales per unique client. A client transaction represents an exchange between a client and the organization that results in the purchase or acquisition of the organization's product(s)/service(s). One transaction can include the purchase of multiple units. This metric is different from Client Individuals: Total (PI4060) and related submetrics, which are intended to capture the number of unique individuals who are clients of the organization during the reporting period.
In specific contexts, and based on evidence, this metric may serve as a proxy indicator of whether the outcome being sought by an investor or organization is occurring (the WHAT dimension of impact). For more on the alignment of IRIS metrics to the five dimensions of impact, see IRIS+ and the Five Dimensions of Impact (https://iris.thegiin.org/document/iris-and-the-five-dimensions/). No single metric is sufficient to understand an impact; rather, metrics are selected as a set across all dimensions of impact. When possible, the selection of metrics to measure and describe the five dimensions should be based on best practice and evidence.
Metrics identified as "cross-category" are those that are relevant to any IRIS+ Impact Category or Impact Theme (i.e., these metrics are not specific to any particular industry/category or theme).
June 2022 - IRIS v5.3 Released (current version)
Immaterial change. Minor revision to usage guidance for clarity.
January 2020 - IRIS v5.1 Released
No change.
May 2019 - IRIS v5.0 Released
No change.
March 2016 - IRIS v4.0 Released
No change.
March 2014 - IRIS v3.0 Released
Immaterial change. Client Transactions (PI5184) replaced Sales Transactions (PI5184). Minor revision to metric name for clarity.
November 2011 - IRIS v2.2 Released
New metric. Sales Transactions (PI5184) IRIS Taxonomy Development Group
IRIS Metrics Work Better in Sets
To use IRIS metrics—and the resulting data—to understand impact performance, IRIS metrics should be used and analyzed in generally accepted sets and according to well-defined objectives. IRIS+ gives you access to generally accepted Core Metrics Sets aligned to common Impact Themes and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).