You Deployed Workday. Now What? Strategies for Maximizing Workday ROI

Deploying an enterprise technology solution like Workday is a significant milestone for any organization. It represents months of planning, configuration, and coordination. But the reality is it’s just the start. The real challenge and opportunity lie in what comes next. 

Maximizing Workday ROI requires a strategic approach that goes beyond deployment. Organizations need to focus on user adoption, process optimization, leveraging advanced capabilities and managing product updates to deliver results, measurable and otherwise. 

Think of the Workday post-deployment strategy phase as where your investment truly pays off—with the right approach, that is.

Where Real Work Begins: Navigating the Workday Post-Deployment Phase

Once Workday goes live, many organizations find that having the system up and running doesn't translate to immediate value. The post-deployment phase can present its own set of challenges: underutilized features, inconsistent user adoption, and workflows that don't align with the platform's capabilities. 

This phase is critical because it determines whether your Workday system becomes a transformative tool or an expensive system that fails to deliver on its promise.

Why Many Organizations Struggle Post-Deployment

Post-deployment issues often stem from three core obstacles:

• Insufficient training: Teams don’t fully understand how to use Workday’s features, leading to low adoption or reliance on outdated processes.
• Inefficient processes: Existing workflows may not be optimized for the platform’s capabilities, causing frustration and inefficiency.
• Misalignment with business goals: Workday may be configured in ways that don’t support evolving operational or strategic needs.

As a result, teams may:

• Fall back on manual workarounds
• Overlook automation or reporting tools
• Miss out on opportunities to increase efficiency and ROI

The solution? Identify these gaps early and apply targeted strategies to close them before momentum is lost.

Evaluating and Optimizing Your Processes

To unlock Workday’s full potential, begin with a thorough evaluation of how your teams are currently using the system vs your overall service delivery model. Key areas to assess:

• System usage: Are teams consistently leveraging Workday, or are there adoption gaps across departments?
• Process inefficiencies: Look for manual or duplicate efforts, such as double data entry or offline workflows.
• Underutilized features: Are reports being manually compiled when Workday can automate them? Are integration capabilities being overlooked?

HR teams, for instance, may still be generating reports manually, missing out on built-in analytics. Finance departments, meanwhile, might not be using integrations that can automate reconciliations or streamline the month-end close.

A detailed process audit will help you identify high-impact areas for improvement (including across financial management and human capital management), leading to greater adoption, faster workflows, and measurable Workday optimization.

Where AI Tools Fit Into Maximizing Workday ROI

AI is a buzzword in enterprise technology, but its real value lies in how it complements your broader Workday post-deployment strategy. When integrated thoughtfully, AI tools can enhance efficiency, personalize user experiences, and surface valuable insights that would be difficult to uncover manually. The key is viewing AI as one component of a comprehensive approach that includes workflow optimization, robust analytics, and improved team collaboration.

Integrating AI to Enhance Your Workday Strategy

Position AI as a force multiplier for your existing processes versus a standalone solution. Start by identifying areas where AI can create the most impact, such as:

• Recruiting: Automate candidate screening so your team can focus on relationship building
• Onboarding: Personalize learning paths based on role, skill level, or learning style
• Workforce planning: Use predictive insights to anticipate needs before they become urgent

Organizations that see the greatest success with AI in Workday often:

• Integrate AI gradually and intentionally
• Pilot tools in high-impact areas
• Expand adoption as teams gain confidence and familiarity

Combining AI With Data for Insights and Continuous Improvement

AI-powered analytics elevate Workday’s reporting capabilities by helping you:

• Track and analyze key metrics such as user adoption rates, time-to-fill and cost-per-hire, and process efficiency across departments
• Identify trends and opportunities for Workday ROI optimization
• Enable continuous improvement through real-time feedback loops

By reviewing AI-driven insights regularly, your organization can:

• Stay agile as business priorities shift
• Align your Workday strategy with long-term growth goals
• Ensure your ROI continues to increase over time

Developing a Comprehensive Strategy for Continued Success

Maximizing Workday ROI demands a holistic strategy that addresses training, change management, automation, and advanced tool integration. This comprehensive approach establishes a foundation for continuous improvement.

Prioritize Training and Change Management

Ongoing training is essential for getting the most out of the Workday platform’s features and functionality. One-time training isn't enough; teams need regular opportunities to deepen their knowledge and stay current with new releases. 

Equally important is change management that addresses resistance and fosters a culture of continuous improvement. When employees understand how to use Workday and why it matters, adoption rates increase significantly. Create champions within each department who can provide peer support and demonstrate best practices.

Leverage Automation and AI Recruiting Solutions

Workday's automation features can eliminate manual tasks and reduce errors across HR, finance, and operations. From automated approval workflows to scheduled reporting, these capabilities allow your team to focus on strategic initiatives. 

For talent acquisition specifically, AI recruiting solutions like Eightfold can enhance your processes by improving candidate sourcing, enabling personalized outreach, and identifying skills gaps within your organization. These tools integrate with Workday to create a seamless recruiting experience that delivers better hiring outcomes while reducing time-to-fill.

Capitalize on Insights for Continuous Improvement

Both AI and Workday's native analytics provide actionable insights to inform your ongoing strategy. Use data from the metrics you track to pinpoint areas for refinement and measure the impact of optimization efforts. 

For example, if analytics reveal that certain Workday modules have low adoption rates, you can target those areas with additional training or process redesign. Data-driven decisions ensure your resources are directed where they'll have the greatest impact.

Why The Groove Is Your Ideal Partner in Workday ROI Optimization

Maximizing your Workday ROI investment doesn't have to be a solo journey. The Groove combines deep industry experience, Workday expertise along with knowledge of other complimentary tools that can drive ongoing ROI improvement.. 

Our tailored approach recognizes that every organization has unique challenges and goals, requiring customized strategies to deliver meaningful results.

Personalized Support for Every Stage

The Groove offers comprehensive support that spans team training, ongoing optimization, and strategic consulting. Whether you need help with change management, process redesign, or integrating new tools into your Workday ecosystem, we have the resources to make it happen. 

This partnership model means you're never navigating Workday post-deployment strategy challenges alone. You have experienced advisors who understand the technical and organizational dimensions of success.

Real Results From Real Organizations: From Human Capital Management to Financial Management

Organizations working with The Groove have achieved measurable improvements in efficiency, cost reduction, and hiring effectiveness. One client streamlined their recruiting processes, reducing time-to-fill by 35% while improving candidate quality. Another optimized their financial workflows, significantly cutting month-end close times. 

These results demonstrate how a dynamic Workday post-deployment strategy turns into real business value.

Your Workday journey is just beginning—let's make it a success together.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should we evaluate our Workday investment’s ROI?

It’s best practice to review your Workday ROI optimization strategy at least twice a year. Regular assessments allow you to identify adoption gaps, measure the impact of new integrations, and ensure your system evolves with business needs. Many organizations also conduct quarterly reviews following major Workday updates or releases to maintain momentum and value.

What are the best Workday user adoption tips after go-live?

Start small and focus on wins that matter to your teams. Create quick-reference guides, host interactive Q&A sessions, and spotlight “power users” who can share best practices. Consistent communication and visible leadership support are essential for sustaining Workday user adoption long after deployment.

How can we make training for Workday success more engaging?

Go beyond one-time training sessions. Offer training for Workday success through microlearning videos, role-based walkthroughs, and scenario-based learning. When employees can see how Workday simplifies their day-to-day work, employee engagement and ROI rise dramatically.

What are some Workday integration best practices?

Start by mapping data flows between Workday and other business systems to maintain consistency and accuracy. Use standardized APIs and automation wherever possible to reduce manual effort and errors. Regularly test and monitor integrations to keep processes running smoothly as your Workday instance evolves.