The success of a Workday implementation doesn’t just hinge on technology but on people. According to recent research, up to 80% of digital transformation initiatives fail. One key factor? While healthcare organizations typically focus on systems and software during planning, the human element of implementations can make or break a project’s success—which is why developing a plan for resource allocation and staffing is so important.
Unfortunately, many healthcare organizations underestimate this investment. They assume the System Integrator will bring all the expertise required to make their Workday project successful, or they fail to account for other needs—like critical business functions and legacy system support—which can lead to resource constraints, lengthy delays, and increased costs.
For organizations looking to avoid these pitfalls, here are four critical staffing mistakes to avoid as outlined in our Workday Resource Planning & Staffing Guide:
Mistake #1: Failing to Backfill Critical Positions
Throughout your Workday implementation journey, various internal subject matter experts—like those in finance, HR, and supply chain management—will be required to assist with the implementation process. However, these staff members also have day-to-day responsibilities critical for daily business operations, and the difficulty of maintaining operations while driving transformation can increase the risk of workflow inefficiencies, service interruptions, and burnout.
This is why collaborating with a Workday Staffing Partner from the onset can be incredibly effective. The right partner can provide experienced Workday talent who can augment and advise your organization’s project team and help you build a strategic resource plan to ensure your implementation is successful. From there, you can collaborate with your staffing partner to identify any skill gaps—and find interim talent to backfill these positions—so regular operations aren’t disrupted during implementation.
Mistake #2: Insufficient Legacy System Support
While your implementation project will require resources from multiple teams, your internal IT department will carry a heavy burden. Not only are they responsible for supporting implementation, but they also need to keep existing systems running smoothly. Without adequate support, this dual responsibility can lead to system failures, data integrity issues, and critical operational disruptions.
To mitigate these risks, lean on your staffing partner to provide experienced talent who can maintain and support legacy systems throughout the implementation journey. With a clear transition plan and third-party support, your internal IT staff can focus on making your Workday project successful—without compromising stability.
Mistake #3: Underestimating Change Management Resources
Change management isn’t just about training—it’s about ensuring adoption across your entire organization. Many healthcare organizations make the mistake of treating change management like an afterthought or assuming the implementation team can handle it. However, poor change management can create a whole host of problems, including low user adoption rates, decreased productivity, and even diminished return on investment from your transformation project.
Successful change management requires intentionality. This includes dedicated resources with expertise in communication, training, and stakeholder engagement throughout the entire implementation lifecycle, so employees feel informed, prepared, and supported.
Mistake #4: Inadequate Post-Implementation Planning
A successful go-live is just the beginning of your Workday journey. Without adequate resources post-implementation, internal teams can struggle to keep up with system maintenance, resolving user issues, and implementing new features or enhancements.
This is why planning for ongoing support and optimization is so important. Build a long-term support strategy—including a dedicated support team—and adopt a continuous improvement process for your Workday system. You’ll also want to invest in training and education for end-users, managers, and administrators, and consider bringing on Workday consulting talent to fill short-term gaps, handle configuration changes and system optimizations, or provide ongoing application management.
Whether you’re preparing to start your Workday implementation journey or are currently underway, download the complete Workday Resource Planning & Staffing Guide for detailed frameworks and recommendations to help ensure project success.