Workday Student Project Readiness
The University of North Florida is beginning early planning for a potential future transition to Workday Student. While a formal implementation project has not yet launched, the university is taking a proactive approach to prepare for the initiative. Current efforts focus on assessing institutional needs, reviewing existing processes, and gathering input from campus partners to better understand how a future student information system can support students, faculty, and staff. This early discovery work will help inform future decisions related to project scope, planning, and implementation strategy.
At this time, a formal project kickoff is not expected for at least another year as the university continues its readiness and planning efforts.
WHAT IS CHANGING?
The University of North Florida has researched a shift from our current Banner SIS in alignment with our strategic plan. To assist us with doing this, UNF partnered with Workday to conduct a readiness assessment to determine our current ability to go through a major software implementation.
Why are we moving to Workday Student?
Moving to a new SIS, like Workday allows UNF to:
- Leverage updated technology and modern features
- Decrease dependence on bolt-on systems and workarounds
- Ensure ongoing system support and maintenance for the future
- Unify UNF’s work effort into a comprehensive system
Why did we participate in a readiness assessment?
By evaluating our current ability to undergo a major software replacement we were able to:
- Work with experts to identify areas of strength and areas that need additional resources before an implementation project
- Outline a realistic timeline for the implementation of a new SIS
- Work with our campus community to gather feedback early on
- Educate employees who will be working on the SIS implementation of exactly what will be required for this project in the future.
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Students
While students will not be impacted by the readiness engagement, they will be significantly impacted when we begin implementing our new SIS. -
Faculty
Faculty will not be heavily impacted during the readiness period, but may be asked to contribute in certain activities. During the implementation of our new SIS, faculty will begin learning and using the new platform. -
Staff
Staff in certain student-facing roles may be asked to participate actively in the readiness process. During the SIS implementation, staff in student-facing roles will begin learning and using the new platform.
Workday Student, like the existing Workday Platform, is a different, more modern system. UNF will have to rethink all existing processes in preparation for change. Changes can impact both system configuration and how we work with Workday. A shift to Workday Student may also introduce new tools and software to enhance our daily work experience.
In Scope
Deployment Prep Navigator Guidance
Workday introduces the Deployment Prep Navigator tool in combination with guided discussions focused on key Student functionality to be considered ahead of the deployment.
Data Clean Up Guidance
Workday leads conversations on the “Workday Student” data conversion process which includes lessons learned from previous Workday Student implementations.
Integration Needs Workshops
Workday engages with UNF to understand the landscape of systems and organize which systems will remain with the deployment of Workday Student.
Platform/Student Touchpoints Assessment
Workday works with UNF to assess our current Workday production environment and its readiness to support a student deployment.
Governance Workshops
Workday will review recommended governance best practices, and work with UNF to build a Governance model specific to a Workday Student deployment.
Change Management
Workday coordinates with UNF to recommend a Student deployment change management strategy.
Customer Staffing Workshops
Workday will review current personnel resources and recommend project staffing based on best practices.
Reporting Needs Workshops
Workday engages with UNF to start identifying reports that will be needed in Workday.Out of Scope
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Making technical decisions about Workday Student processes
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Naming a project team or officially launching the project
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Beginning formal project work or data conversion
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Readiness Engagement Begun | September 10, 2025 |
| Workstream Collaboration and Discussion | Through December 2025 |
| Engagement Ended | December, 2025 |
| Project Begins | TBD, 2027 at the earliest |