Lessons from a Workday HCM Failure [HR Technology Implementation Case Study]

Sacramento Schools in the US recently experienced a Workday HCM implementation failure - and the organization is suing Workday as a result. What are the lessons for HR technology, HRIS, and other digital transformation initiatives? This video explains.
DOWNLOAD THE 2021 DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION REPORT:
resource.thirds...
TOP HCM SYSTEMS RANKING:
www.thirdstage...
TOP 10 ERP SYSTEMS RANKING:
www.thirdstage...
TOP 10 ERP SYSTEMS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES:
www.thirdstage...
TOP 10 CRM SYSTEMS:
www.thirdstage...
GUIDE TO ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE MANAGEMENT:
resource.thirds...
DOWNLOAD 20 LESSONS FROM 1,000 ERP IMPLEMENTATIONS:
resource.third...
WATCH MY WEEKLY PODCAST:
• Transformation Ground ...
FOLLOW THIRD STAGE ON LINKEDIN:
/ third-stage-consulting...
CONNECT WITH ME ON LINKEDIN:
/ erickimberling
CONTACT ME TO BRAINSTORM IDEAS FOR YOUR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION:
[e-mail]

[@kenpischke939]

I agree with all of your points, Eric. The biggest mistake companies make when deciding on a migration to digital transformation of any sort is not getting the integrator involved early in the sales process with the software vendor and the customer. This eliminates repeating and educating the integrator on the goals and expectations of the customer and creates a lockstep environment on the end result of the project. It also eliminates the possibility of finger pointing when things go wrong as everybody is "In the Pool" at the same time and should be on the same page.

[@TheEugenezandberg]

-100% spot on but I think it starts off with a sales pitch and that sells pitch often the Unicorn product and forgets that in most cases the client needs to very clearly articulate they requirements because if not then this is exactly what happens.
In addition the product itself is supposed to be a tempo ties config first approach to ensure a standard global version and so that needs to be clearly articulated in your contract upfront.

[@Whatever___XYZ918]

as someone about to be involved in a large Workday implementation this is very interesting to watch - thanks!

[@cmptar]

I can't remember the last time I had a software provider give a sales pitch that wasn't filled with BS or lies. Seems pretty par for the course unfortunately.

[@erickimberling]

I agree!

[@abdulfazul]

Did the Sacramento Schools Management do the due diligence to confirm that the System Integrator have experience with implementing WORKDAY in a School District
Which WORKDAY School District Clients did they talk with and what did they learn before starting their project.
Having worked in Higher Ed for over 16 years, I know the lack of understanding that Institution Managers have of IT, and IT Projects.

[@tw4943]

It is quite apparent the SAC group did NOT do their due diligence. Eric made that clear in a round about way.

[@ay4704]

Thanks for such a great lecture !
The company that I work for is about to implement the workday, so what’s your advise ? And i am wondering if (salesforce ) is better ?

[@michelled4042]

Sounds like Sacramento School District has a good deal of responsibility in this.

[@whitestork3896]

I implement Workday for a living. None of what was said in the video surprises me. The product is halfbaked, limited in many ways and dated despite the sales pitch. If your company works the same Workday is designed, great. If it's not, good luck. There's little that can be done. Half of the effort on each project is coming up with workarounds to make valid business needs implemented in a system that's rigid on its design. Also, it's a very American centric system that pretends to be global.

[@michelled4042]

Sounds like you need a different job. As a user of Workday I love it. Especially after seeing their competitor’s products. This sounds like an issue where the customer is not a victim but a participant in the failure.

[@deletingaccount]

Wise to learn from other's mistakes. I like your video format, Top Gun feel. You are coherent and relevant.

[@newscotlandpiper]

I wonder how many of the same problems would show up across projects if a meta-analysis of ERP failures small and large were to be conducted. I would bet ten dollars the reoccurring themes would be similar to those talked about by folks like Eric for years.

[@erickimberling]

I agree !

[@davidkim2248]

Thank you for your good lecture. Can I share your RUclips contents for our company trarining(Corporate Education)?

[@erickimberling]

Yes, feel free to do so! And I’m glad you like the video.

[@davids2218]

Who was the integrator? Accenture?

[@srivthefour7468]

I'm surprised to see how Workday captured such a market...as I see in comments, it's shitty, half baked product. Even simple checks, like a "whitespace" after a valid email address can render it invalid! (extremely annoying for the end user)
From the VAR standpoint, it's too rigid to accommodate specific requirements.
No that because the 'best practices' are baked in there..but it's half baked ...and left over to rot!
That's the power of Business Digital Transformation - I Guess!
Even shitty products can ride the wave ...Yayy

[@ReedoAce]

Ha great reply. What’s the alternative? They are all the same..

[@engineeringoyster6243]

I’ve always assumed that the success of Workday is due to them bribing the HR executives at their customers. There can be no other rational explanation.