Published 12 February 2025
Author: Verity Gooch, Head of Workday Enhancement Services, Preos
After years of helping organisations manage Workday’s bi-annual releases, I’ve seen firsthand how these updates can feel like both an opportunity and a burden. Here’s why it’s time to shift our perspective on what these releases truly represent for your business.
Every six months, Workday delivers a new feature release packed with updates designed to make the platform more powerful and aligned with the changing needs of organisations. These updates are full of potential, but for many businesses, they can also feel overwhelming. Release backlogs grow, adoption slows, and the promise of these updates remains just that – a promise.
As someone who’s worked with countless organisations to maximise the full value of Workday, I can confidently say that feature releases are just the beginning. To truly maximise your investment in Workday, it’s about partnership, planning, and building internal capability.
Let’s talk about how to turn updates into outcomes.
About Preos
At Preos, we help our clients get the most out of Workday. We ensure your organisation is using the platform to its full potential and getting the best possible return on your investment.
We address any inherited issues, increase user adoption, offer Workday support and introduce processes to ensure Workday meets – and continues to meet – the needs of your business in the long term.
The challenge
When I speak to Workday customers, the same challenges come up time and again:
“We’re falling behind on updates.”
Life happens, daily operations, competing priorities, and limited resources often mean release backlogs accumulate.
“We don’t know which features are right for us.”
With every release, Workday offers a wealth of new possibilities. But deciding what’s relevant and impactful isn’t always straightforward.
“We need more than a short-term fix.”
Many organisations don’t just want help implementing new features; they want to build a long-term strategy and upskill their teams to take ownership of Workday’s evolving capabilities.
These conversations underscore a truth: feature releases aren’t just about ticking boxes. They’re an opportunity to evolve your system, improve processes, and get more value from your subscription.
But seizing that opportunity takes more than awareness—it requires a clear plan and the right support.
So, what advice do I give to those Workday customers?
When faced with the challenges of release backlogs or uncertainty about which features to prioritise in new releases, I say:
Start with a clear plan
Begin by evaluating the updates in the context of your organisation’s goals. Which features align with your priorities? Which updates will deliver the greatest value for your team? Prioritising high-impact changes ensures you’re focusing your efforts where they matter most.
Treat the release like a “mini-project”
Adopting new features isn’t just an IT project – it’s an organisational effort. Engage stakeholders across different functions early on to identify opportunities and challenges.
Communicate the WHY
The Release may impact end-users and therefore require change management. Leveraging Workday Announcements to communicate changes and updates to job aides are common tasks included in the Test Plan.
Adoption is more successful when employees understand how new features benefit them. Whether simplifying processes, increasing compliance, or saving time, communicating these advantages helps build buy-in and reduces resistance to change.
Upskill your team
New features are only as effective as the people using them. Take the time to invest in training and enablement for your internal Workday team. By building their knowledge and confidence, you’re setting the foundation for long-term success.
Taking a partnership approach
This is where Workday Enhancement Services (WES) come in. Unlike traditional support models, WES isn’t about handing over the reins. It’s about partnership. We work side by side with your Workday team to tackle release backlogs, implement new features, and ensure your system evolves with your organisation’s needs.
Here’s how that partnership works in practice:
- Every organisation is different, and so are the opportunities Workday updates present. Our role is to help you prioritise updates that align with your goals and map out a manageable plan to adopt them. Whether it’s staying compliant with new regulations, or exploring innovative features, we help you manage what is important for you.
- One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is seeing teams grow in confidence and capability. Our goal isn’t just to clear your backlog or implement updates—it’s to upskill your internal team so they can take ownership of Workday in the long term. Through training, hands-on collaboration, and knowledge-sharing, we help your team feel empowered.
- Workday isn’t static, and neither should your system be. Beyond release adoption, we look for opportunities to improve system performance, streamline processes, and prepare for the next release. It’s about creating a system that works harder for you, year after year.
Final thoughts
If you’re reading this, you’ve probably already seen Workday’s latest feature release. Maybe you’ve even registered for our guide to help you understand the updates. But the real question is: how will you use those updates?
Here’s my advice: Whether tackling a specific release or developing a broader strategy, find a team that will work alongside yours to drive results and build internal capacity. With the right collaboration, you can clear your backlog, adopt impactful features, and set your organisation up for long-term success.
With WES, we do exactly that. Together, we can turn your updates into outcomes and ensure you get maximum value from Workday. Want to learn more about how WES can support your Workday journey? Let’s talk.
