A year after implementing Workday, the client - a UK investment institution - had successfully completed its post-production support. The platform was live, but the focus had shifted from implementation to optimization. The organization wanted a clearer strategy for improving adoption, prioritizing future enhancements and increasing the return on its Workday investment, without moving into a traditional Application Management Services (AMS) model.
To support that next stage of the platform's lifecycle, the business engaged Focus Cloud to deliver its ReFocus Optimization Program.
Project Highlights
- Delivered the Focus Cloud ReFocus Workday Optimization Program one year after go-live
- Completed a comprehensive Workday tenant assessment
- Developed a prioritized short, medium and long-term optimization roadmap
- Delivered a flexible hybrid AMS model with embedded Workday consultants
- Established a long-term strategy to improve adoption and maximize Workday ROI
The Challenge
Although Workday had been successfully implemented, the organization recognized it was not achieving the return on investment it had anticipated.
Without a structured optimization strategy, it was difficult to prioritize future enhancements, understand the impact of new Workday releases or identify where improvements would deliver the greatest business value. Leadership wanted to continue developing the platform but did not want to replace its existing operating model with a traditional AMS engagement. Instead, it needed a more flexible approach that combined strategic guidance with specialist expertise.
Our Approach
Focus Cloud delivered its ReFocus Optimization Program through a hybrid AMS model tailored to the client's preferred way of working.
The engagement began with a comprehensive assessment of the existing Workday environment, including a tenant review, release cycle analysis and identification of opportunities to improve functionality, adoption and operational efficiency. These findings were used to develop a practical optimization roadmap covering short, medium and long-term priorities.
Rather than providing a fully managed service, experienced Workday consultants were embedded within the client's internal team, giving the organization access to specialist expertise while maintaining ownership of its Workday platform. This collaborative approach combined strategic advisory services, hands-on support and knowledge transfer, enabling optimization initiatives to be delivered alongside day-to-day operations.
The Outcome
The engagement gave the client a structured framework for continuous improvement, while providing the flexibility of an AMS model aligned with its internal operating model.
The engagement delivered:
- A comprehensive Workday tenant assessment and optimization review
- A prioritized roadmap for future platform enhancements
- Greater visibility of Workday release impacts and optimization opportunities
- Increased internal capability through embedded Workday consultants
- A flexible hybrid AMS model that complemented the existing support structure
- A stronger foundation for maximizing long-term return on the organization's Workday investment
By combining Workday optimization expertise with a flexible Application Management Services approach, Focus Cloud helped the business move beyond reactive support and establish a long-term strategy for improving platform performance, increasing user adoption and maximizing Workday ROI.
