Workday Insights from a Solutions Architect (Part 2)

02/07/25 • 30 min

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In this episode, Keith Bitikofer interviews Demetrio Wazar-Santana, a Workday Solutions architect, about the capabilities and applications of Workday Extend. They discuss Demetrio's journey with Extend, its features, development processes, real-world applications, and the new 'Built on Workday' initiative. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding user needs and leveraging technology to create effective solutions within the Workday ecosystem.
Takeaways
- Workday Extend allows for the creation of custom applications within the Workday ecosystem.
- Demetrio's journey with Extend began with a focus on automation and problem-solving.
- Extend provides a user-friendly interface for building applications without extensive coding knowledge.
- Real-world applications of Extend can significantly improve user experience and operational efficiency.
- The 'Built on Workday' initiative allows for broader access to applications without needing a Workday Extend subscription.
- Workday is evolving into a platform company.
- Understanding employee pain points is crucial for developing effective solutions with Extend.
- The growth of the number of Workday Extend Apps and events like DevCon highlights the increasing interest in Extend.
- Collaboration with solution partners can lead to innovative applications that address specific organizational needs.
For information on all of Keith's books and his coaching services, visit KeithBitikofer.com and https://books2read.com/keith-bitikofer
Connect with Keith on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-bitikofer/
To connect with Demetrio Wazar-Santana, follow and reach out to him on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwazar/
Keywords
Workday, Extend, digital transformation, HR technology, application development, platform company, custom solutions, user experience, integration, Built on Workday

Previous Episode

Workday Insights from a Solutions Architect (Part 1)

In this episode of Workday Gold, Keith Bitikofer interviews Demetrio Wazar-Santana, a seasoned Workday Solutions Architect. They discuss Demetrio's journey in the Workday ecosystem, the importance of understanding both implementation and post-production phases, and the critical role of documentation and change management in successful Workday projects. The conversation also covers the significance of user engagement in testing, data quality ownership, and aligning Workday solutions with business goals. Demetrio shares valuable insights from his recent stabilization projects and emphasizes the need for effective stakeholder engagement and governance.
Takeaways
- The role of a solutions architect involves looking at the big picture.
- Documentation is essential to avoid future pain points.
- Engaging users in testing helps identify issues early.
- Change management is crucial for user adoption.
- Data quality ownership can be a significant challenge.
- Stakeholder engagement is vital for project success.
- Aligning Workday solutions with business goals is essential.
- Just because you can implement a solution doesn't mean you should.
For information on all of Keith's books and his coaching services, visit KeithBitikofer.com and https://books2read.com/keith-bitikofer
Connect with Keith on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-bitikofer/
To connect with Demetrio Wazar-Santana, follow and reach out to him on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwazar/
Keywords
Workday, Solutions Architect, Change Management, Data Quality, Stakeholder Engagement, User Testing, Documentation, HR Technology, Workday Implementation, Workday Stabilization

Next Episode

Success Matters: How Do You Measure It in the Workday Space?

In this episode of Workday Gold, Keith Bitikofer and Christian Delcid discuss chapter 9 “Success Matters: How Do You Measure It?’ of Keith’s book and explore the complexities of defining and communicating success in the context of Workday implementations. They discuss how success can be defined differently depending on the perspective of various stakeholders, including leadership, end users, and support teams. The conversation emphasizes the importance of gathering feedback through surveys and discussions to understand how different groups perceive success.
They also discuss the importance of understanding leadership perspectives, navigating changes in leadership, and the necessity of effective communication with senior leaders. The conversation emphasizes the role of anecdotal evidence alongside data-driven decision-making, the need for alignment across departments, and the critical function of support teams in facilitating cross-departmental collaboration.
Takeaways
- Success is defined differently by various stakeholders.
- Engaging in conversations is crucial for understanding success.
- Surveys can provide valuable insights but must be carefully crafted.
- Feedback should be gathered from leadership, end users, and support teams.
- Understanding the context of success is essential for effective measurement.
- Change management teams can facilitate feedback collection.
- Anonymous surveys may yield more honest responses.
- Cultural differences can impact perceptions of success in global organizations.
- Defining success requires ongoing dialogue and reassessment of expectations. Leadership's perception of Workday success often relies on feedback from their teams.
- It's crucial to communicate the bigger picture story to leadership.
- Changes in leadership can create challenges in understanding historical context.
- Anecdotal stories can complement data-driven decision-making.
- Alignment of expectations is necessary to avoid friction between departments.
For information on all of Keith's books and his coaching services, visit KeithBitikofer.com and https://books2read.com/keith-bitikofer
Connect with Keith on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-bitikofer/
To connect with Christian Delcid, you can find him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiandelcid/
Keywords
Workday, success measurement, feedback, surveys, coaching, leadership, Workday support, employee engagement, business processes, change management, Workday, leadership, communication, success metrics, change management, anecdotal evidence, cross-departmental collaboration, organizational impact, data-driven decisions, employee empowerment