Last week, some of our team hit the road and headed to Vegas for Workday Rising. This year’s conference offered a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities facing organizations in a fast-moving digital landscape, where there is more technology and data available than ever before. Didn’t make it to the show? Here are the five key takeaways we brought back from the event:
1. Data Quality Remains a Priority (and a Challenge)
Organizations continue to struggle with data quality, highlighting the difficulty in accessing the data they need. A recurring pain point at the conference was the issue of handling historical data—how to store, access, and analyze it without burdening production systems. The sheer volume of data accumulated over time makes it hard to maintain quality while ensuring that critical information is accessible when needed. Companies need better strategies to tackle these data challenges, especially as they continue to rely on data-driven decisions.
2. Change Management Doesn't End After Go-Live
A crucial reminder from the event was that change management extends far beyond the go-live date of any new system implementation. Many attendees noted that using new systems posed unforeseen challenges, reinforcing the need for continuous support and training. Adapting to a new way of working requires time, and organizations must be proactive in managing change post-implementation to drive user adoption and system optimization.
3. Analytics: A Tool for Better Decision-Making
Another major focus at the conference was the importance of analytics in driving better-informed decisions. Organizations that can effectively leverage their data with the right analytical tools are able to make smarter decisions faster. Workday's commitment to improving analytics was evident throughout the conference, with discussions on how these tools can empower teams across finance, HR, and operations. As businesses evolve, those who excel at using analytics will gain a competitive edge.
4. Don’t Underestimate Data Migration
A key discussion repeated throughout the conference was the difficulty of data migration. Many organizations admitted that they were not fully prepared for the complexities involved in moving large amounts of data into new systems. Migrating data—especially when it spans multiple systems, formats, and decades—requires more than just technical know-how; it demands comprehensive planning and strategy. Workday Rising attendees shared stories of underestimating this process and the lessons learned from the experience.
5. Workday’s “Forever Forward” Vision: The Future of AI and Innovation
The overarching theme of the conference, “Forever Forward”, was perfectly aligned with Workday’s mission to continuously innovate. One of the most exciting announcements was Workday Illuminate™, a next-generation AI product designed to accelerate decision-making and problem-solving in HR and finance. In a world moving at lightning speed, Workday’s new AI tools, combined with Orchestrate, and Extend, are unlocking new possibilities for businesses to grow and innovate. This forward-thinking approach signals a future where AI is central to business operations, and those that leverage these technologies can achieve exponential growth.
As Workday continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible, companies have an opportunity to follow suit, embracing new technologies and strategies to stay ahead in a fast-paced world. If your organization is looking to tackle any of these key areas, the Definian team would love to help. As an official Workday partner, we have been successfully helping many companies successfully migrate to Workday and unlock the full potential of their data beyond implementation.
