Maximizing ROI in a Workday Deployment: Key Strategies

A successful Workday transformation goes beyond just system implementation, it’s about aligning technology with business goals, optimizing processes, and driving efficiency. Over the years, I’ve seen that the most successful deployments focus on maximizing ROI through strategic planning and execution. Here are a few key strategies to help you do just that:

1. Align Workday Implementation to Business Goals

To ensure a successful Workday deployment, it’s crucial to define clear KPIs to measure progress. Some of the metrics I’ve seen make the biggest impact include:

• Percentage of milestones met on schedule
• Percentage of users completing Workday training
• Number of customizations versus standard Workday configurations (fewer customizations = better maintainability)
• Reduction in manual processes (e.g., HR process automation, self-service adoption)
• Drop in IT/HR support tickets
• Audit readiness percentage (HR & Finance reports meeting compliance requirements.

By focusing on these KPIs, you’ll have clear indicators of success throughout the implementation process.

2. Prioritize High-Impact Modules & Features

Not all Workday modules are created equal. Start with modules that will provide the quickest wins for your business:

• Core HCM, Payroll, and Financials are excellent starting points.
• Automate HR and Finance processes to reduce manual effort.
• Focus on self-service capabilities to enhance user adoption and efficiency.

Focusing on these high-impact areas will help deliver tangible results early on in your deployment.

3. Lead with Change Management

Even the best system won’t deliver results if your people aren’t ready to use it. Embedding change management throughout the Workday journey is critical for adoption and long-term success.

• Start with a stakeholder engagement plan to build awareness and buy-in
• Identify change champions across departments
• Invest in training — and measure it:
• Training completion rates by role
  • Post-training confidence score
  • Usage data after go-live
  • Use surveys to track adoption and identify areas for reinforcement

Change management isn’t a one-time effort — it’s a continuous process that ensures your team is empowered, engaged, and ready to maximize Workday’s value.

4. Leverage Workday’s Best Practices

Workday is designed to be flexible, but it’s important not to over-customize. Sticking to Workday’s best practice configurations helps maintain system integrity and reduces long-term complexity. Additionally:

• Use Workday Extend for necessary customizations without adding unnecessary complexity.
• Tap into the Workday Community for shared insights and proven solutions.

By leveraging the platform’s built-in best practices, you set yourself up for a smoother, more sustainable deployment.

5. Drive Integration & Automation

Workday shines when it’s integrated with your other systems. Optimize integrations with your ERP, CRM, and other business-critical platforms to ensure seamless data flow. Some tools I’ve seen make a big difference include:

• Workday Enterprise Interface Builder (EIB)
• Workday Studio for seamless data transfers

These tools allow for a more efficient transfer of data between systems, driving automation and improving overall performance.

6. Think Beyond Go-Live

The journey doesn’t end when Workday goes live. The platform is constantly evolving, so your roadmap should continue beyond deployment. Keep building on the foundation you’ve set by:

• Leveraging automation
• Optimizing processes
• Continuously improving your system to unlock long-term value

With this mindset, you’ll continue to see ROI long after the initial implementation.

Ready to take your Workday deployment to the next level? At TopBloc, we specialize in helping organizations maximize ROI through thoughtful strategy, expert implementation, and long-term support. Let us guide you toward achieving lasting value from your Workday investment.