Modernizing your ERP or Student Information System (SIS) is one of the biggest investments your institution will ever make. But the real return doesn’t happen when you flip the switch. It happens in the months (and years) that follow, when your institution stabilizes, adopts, and truly owns the system.

Go-Live may indicate that the system is operational, but true operational readiness means that all components, including people, processes, and technology, are aligned and functioning together effectively.

Many educational institutions invest in modern cloud systems for HR, Finance, Student management, or CRM with a common belief: “This will automate work away.” The reality? Workloads don’t disappear, they shift.

In the ever-evolving world of higher education, the rush to integrate new technologies can push institutions into making fast, often hasty decisions. Many mistakenly believe that serious planning should only begin after choosing a vendor and welcoming the product implementation team. They are the experts, right? Wrong.

Implementing a new technology system means walking a fine line: you need to trust your vendor or implementation partner and trust yourself.

In higher education, documentation is often overlooked or under-resourced—both in terms of time and budget. But here’s the irony: by investing in documentation, institutions can actually save time and money. Read to learn how.

Of course there’s resistance. It’s not just a software upgrade—it’s a total shift in how things feel.

We’ve all experienced the frustration of accidentally signing up for a service that's already available to us.

We've all faced tough choices: would you prefer a novice to change your tire, or a skilled mechanic who knows exactly what to do? This analogy perfectly fits the realm of Workday Student support and the expertise needed to navigate its complexities.

Here’s the thing: success doesn't start by staring at the gaps. It starts by leaning into your strengths.

Have you ever found a forgotten subscription quietly siphoning funds from your account? Now, imagine that complexity multiplied across a whole university or college.

As an institution, your goal isn’t just to get through go-live—it’s to build a team that can run the system with confidence and clarity.

Transitioning to new technology like Workday Student requires re-thinking everything.

Federal and state reporting requirements may shape your data conversion decisions more than you realize.

When it comes to system implementations in higher education, the saying “think before you do” is critical.

As you prepare to implement Workday Student, remember that the learning curve, while steep, doesn’t have to be faced in isolation.

There’s a substantial amount of non-technical pre-work necessary to avoid hiccups in your integrations later on.

Here's what I've learned from this statement: "Our goal is not to make any major changes from the current configuration."

Quality assurance reveals potential risks, functioning like a "canary in a coal mine" to warn of emerging problems.

Change management helps facilitate smooth transitions by preparing individuals to adapt while minimizing disruptions.