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IT Readiness for Workday Implementation
Transform your IT function from infrastructure managers to cloud platform leaders with our comprehensive 12-week readiness programme
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100+ UK Public Sector Deployments
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Β£17.5M Compliance Risk Mitigation
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80% Implementation Success Rate
Explore Programme
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View 12-Week Journey
12
Week Programme
5
Key Workstreams
14
Compliance Areas
100%
Cloud-Native
Programme Overview
A structured 12-week journey to equip your IT team with the clarity, confidence, and readiness needed to successfully support your Workday implementation
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Critical Insight
Workday is not a traditional system requiring local infrastructure. It’s a cloud-native SaaS solution with significant implications for how IT contributes, governs, and supports the implementation.
Programme Objectives
- Build foundational knowledge of the Workday platform ecosystem
- Define clear roles and responsibilities within the programme and operating model
- Shape actionable strategies for identity, security, integration, and data migration
- Gain confidence to engage Workday partners from a position of clarity and control
- Align with enterprise architecture and governance principles
- Address UK public sector compliance requirements including NIS, GDPR, and emerging regulations
Understanding SaaS, PaaS, and iPaaS
Foundation knowledge for your cloud transformation journey in the Workday context
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SaaS
Software as a Service
What it is: Software delivered via the cloud on a subscription basis, fully managed by the provider including infrastructure, application logic, security, and updates.
Workday Example:
Core HCM, Finance, and Payroll modules. Access via web browsers while Workday maintains everything.
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PaaS
Platform as a Service
What it is: A cloud platform that allows developers to build, extend, and deploy applications without managing infrastructure.
Workday Example:
Workday Extend – build custom apps that work natively within Workday’s platform.
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iPaaS
Integration Platform as a Service
What it is: A cloud-based integration layer that connects multiple systems using APIs, connectors, and orchestration tools.
Workday Example:
Boomi, MuleSoft for enterprise-wide integration beyond native tools.
Clarifying IT’s Role in Workday
From infrastructure ownership to cloud platform governance
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Infrastructure & Environment
Key Shift: Workday operates a multi-tenant SaaS architecture
- No need to provision infrastructure in your environment
- Environments (implementation, sandbox, production) managed by Workday
- Workday handles system availability, patching, and scalability
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Identity & Access Management
- Entra ID (Azure AD) integrated with Workday for SSO using SAML
- Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) aligned to business roles
- Conditional access, MFA, and authentication policies in your identity platform
- Security clearance requirements for critical infrastructure operators
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Security, Logging & Compliance
- Workday provides in-built audit logs and usage tracking
- Security groups configured directly in Workday
- Integration with SIEM platforms like Microsoft Sentinel
- NIS Regulations compliance for critical infrastructure
- GDPR and UK data protection requirements
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Integration & Data Platform
- Multiple integration methods: batch (EIB), real-time (APIs), developer-led (Studio)
- Integration tooling strategy: native, iPaaS, or hybrid
- Define authoritative data sources and migration preparation
- Energy sector-specific data requirements and EUSR integration
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Governance & Architecture
- Shift from infrastructure control to service and data governance
- Alignment with enterprise architecture principles
- Documentation and support models for SaaS-era operations
- Government Digital Service Standards compliance
- Technology Code of Practice adherence
Five Key Workstreams
Structured approach to build readiness across all critical areas
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Platform Education
Demystify the Workday technology landscape: SaaS, PaaS, iPaaS, Extend, integrations
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Role of IT in SaaS
Clarify what IT owns (identity, integration, governance) and what Workday handles
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Integration & Data Strategy
Build a full view of current systems and map the path to integration and data migration readiness
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Expert & Partner Engagement
Use real-world input to validate strategies and shape plans
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Implementation Orientation
Ensure IT is ready to govern and support delivery, from planning to post go-live
12-Week Programme Timeline
Our structured approach to preparing your IT team for Workday success
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Foundation
Weeks 1-3
Platform education, role clarity, and programme setup
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Discovery
Weeks 4-6
Integration landscape and data quality assessment
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Design
Weeks 7-9
Strategy development and partner validation
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Delivery
Weeks 10-12
Finalisation, orientation, and handover
Week-by-Week Breakdown
Week 1
Kick-off & Discovery Planning
Launch programme, align stakeholders, confirm scope and governance
Key Activities
- Programme kick-off with IT resource and other key senior business personnel
- Confirm knowledge gaps and engagement model
- Define workshop cadence and data access needs
- Share foundational reading on SaaS, PaaS, iPaaS
Outputs
- Engagement Plan & Stakeholder Map
- Workshop Schedule
Week 2
Workday Platform 101
Provide foundational understanding of Workday’s operating model
Key Activities
- Workshop: SaaS, PaaS, iPaaS, Workday Extend
- Discuss tenant strategy and update cycles
- Introduce Workday Studio, Prism, BIRT
Outputs
- Platform Education Material
- Capability Matrix
Week 3
IT Responsibilities in Workday
Clarify IT’s role across the Workday lifecycle
Key Activities
- Workshop: Identity, Security, Integration, Monitoring
- Discuss Entra ID, SSO, RBAC, SIEM responsibilities
- Explore governance models and operating boundaries
Outputs
- RACI Matrix
- Governance Outline
- Platform Ownership Summary
Week 4
Workday Integration Overview
Understand Workday-native and external integration approaches
Key Activities
- Workshop: EIB, Core Connectors, APIs, Studio
- iPaaS options (Boomi, MuleSoft)
- Review logging, exception handling, support models
Outputs
- Integration Options Matrix
- Tooling Consideration Log
- Initial Integration Design Principles
Week 5
Integration Landscape Discovery
Map current integrations and technical environment
Key Activities
- Interview system owners (HR, Finance, Payroll)
- Catalogue inbound/outbound data flows
- Document interface types (batch, real-time)
Outputs
- Integration Inventory
- System Touchpoint Map
- Complexity Categorisation Matrix
Week 6
Data Discovery & Quality Review
Identify data sources, assess quality and readiness
Key Activities
- Workshop: Data Domains & Ownership
- Identify authoritative systems and data issues
- Begin data profiling and cleansing discussions
Outputs
- Data Inventory
- Quality Assessment Log
- Source System Register
Week 7
Integration Strategy Design
Define integration strategy and tooling decisions
Key Activities
- Workshop: Matching use cases to integration types
- Define error handling, retry logic, support model
- Decide on in-scope and out-of-scope tooling
Outputs
- Draft Integration Strategy
- Integration Decision Framework
- Support Model Recommendation
Week 8
Data Migration Strategy Design
Define approach, phasing, and tooling for data migration
Key Activities
- Workshop: Migration cycles and cutover planning
- Define source-to-target mapping requirements
- Discuss retention, archiving, and GDPR compliance
Outputs
- Draft Data Migration Strategy
- Migration Phasing Plan
- Data Risk Log
Week 9
Partner-Led Integration & Migration Demos
Validate assumptions and learn from expert delivery partners
Key Activities
- Workshop/demo with Workday partner(s)
- Compare approaches, tooling, and lessons learned
- Assess delivery methods and best practices
Outputs
- Refined Integration & Migration Strategies
- Partner Feedback Log
- Updated Tooling Recommendations
Week 10
Finalise Integration & Data Strategies
Consolidate and review draft strategy documents
Key Activities
- Internal review of strategy documents
- Stakeholder walkthroughs and validation
- Align on responsibilities and delivery roadmap
Outputs
- Final Integration Strategy
- Final Data Migration Strategy
- Executive Summary for Programme Sponsor
Week 11
Implementation Orientation
Prepare IT for the implementation phase
Key Activities
- Workshop: Workday implementation lifecycle
- Discuss tenant cutover, testing, and legacy decommissioning
- Plan support and change management model
Outputs
- Implementation Overview Deck
- Draft Operating Model (Post-Go Live)
- Key Delivery Milestones Log
Week 12
Transition Planning & Handover
Confirm IT readiness and handover for implementation
Key Activities
- Final review of strategies and decisions
- Identify quick wins vs long-term needs
- Confirm partner shortlist and SOW inputs
Outputs
- Handover Pack: Strategies, Plans, Responsibilities
- Recommendations for Implementation Resourcing
- Transition Readiness Checklist
Key Programme Deliverables
Tangible outputs that position your IT team for success
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Workday Platform Education Materials
Comprehensive training resources covering SaaS, PaaS, iPaaS, and Workday-specific technologies
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IT Roles & Responsibilities Matrix
Clear RACI defining IT’s role across the Workday lifecycle and operating model
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Integration & Data Landscape Maps
Visual documentation of current state and future integration architecture
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Integration & Data Migration Strategies
Signed-off strategies with tooling decisions and phasing plans
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Implementation Orientation Briefing
Comprehensive guide for IT’s role during implementation
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Recommendations Pack & Transition Handover
Complete handover documentation with partner selection inputs
UK Public Sector Compliance
Comprehensive compliance framework addressing current and emerging regulations
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Critical Compliance Alert
UK energy regulators face 14 major regulations affecting HR systems with penalties reaching Β£17.5 million for serious breaches. The Employment Rights Bill and emerging AI regulations will require fundamental system redesigns by 2026.
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Critical Infrastructure
- NIS Regulations 2018 compliance
- Enhanced cybersecurity measures
- Business continuity planning
- Β£17 million maximum penalty
- Security clearance requirements
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Data Protection
- UK GDPR & DPA 2018
- Special category data handling
- FOI Act balance
- Privacy by design
- Cross-border transfers
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Equality & Employment
- Public Sector Equality Duty
- Gender pay gap reporting
- Accessibility (WCAG 2.2 AA)
- Employment Rights Bill 2025
- Zero-hours contract reforms
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Emerging Regulations
- AI Act compliance (EU operations)
- Algorithmic accountability
- ESG reporting requirements
- Sustainability metrics
- Future-proof architecture
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Government Standards
- GOV.UK Service Standard
- Technology Code of Practice
- G-Cloud compliance
- Cyber Essentials Plus
- Open standards adoption
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Energy Sector
- EUSR registration
- Skills verification
- Regulatory reporting
- Sector certifications
- Competency frameworks
Ready to Transform Your IT Function?
Join leading UK public sector organisations in successfully implementing Workday with confidence and compliance