Workday Go-Live is Just the Beginning: What Higher Ed Needs to Know About Stabilization

The term "go-live" in a Workday implementation can be misleading, often signaling the end for implementation partners, but just the beginning for the institution. 

For higher education, the real timeline extends far beyond the initial "Move to Production." 

We're talking about a multi-year stabilization period – typically 2 years – where functionality truly integrates into daily operations. In this sense, go-live is the start of the marathon. Not the end of a sprint.

This extended timeline requires continuous, strategic testing from the outset, not just at the end. It also means careful management of data across legacy systems and Workday, ensuring accuracy and readiness for all stakeholders, even those in "periphery" offices like Veterans Affairs or Career Services. This also means proper care and on-going training for staff. 

Let's advocate for transparent, activity-based timelines that reflect the full journey of institutional adoption and stabilization.

Go-Live, Go Strong

If your school has successfully reach go-live and in need of a maintenance plan to ensure your system (and those using it) for the future, reach out to me. 

Our team comes from higher ed and we see ourselves as part of the higher community. We'd be happy to meet and talk through how your institution can navigate post-production best. This is not a sales call or fee-for-service. Just a conversation to point you in the right direction. To begin, fill out our interest form.

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