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Overview
A large national retail organization needed to improve the performance, usability, and scalability of its Workday environment during one of its most critical operating periods. While the system was live and functional, several system-critical employees supporting Workday operations and recruiting processes had overlapping scheduled leaves of absence, creating immediate coverage gaps across talent, performance, learning, compliance, and recruiting workflows.
Through targeted Workday staff augmentation, The Planet Group quickly deployed experienced functional consultants to maintain operational continuity, support critical HR processes, and reduce pressure on the client’s internal team. The success of this initial engagement opened the door to expanded support across additional Workday functional and technical areas, helping the organization accelerate enhancements, resolve system inefficiencies, and improve the overall user experience.
The Client
The client is a nationally recognized retail organization operating at enterprise scale, with a complex Workday environment supporting both technical and functional operations.
Their Workday footprint included:
- Integrations and technical infrastructure
- Core HCM and talent processes
- Time tracking and workforce management
- Benefits and compensation programs
With multiple workstreams in motion, the organization required ongoing support to maintain alignment between the system and evolving business needs.
The Challenge
Although Workday was already implemented, the organization faced growing challenges in keeping the system optimized and aligned with business demands. Several system-critical employees supporting Workday operations and recruiting processes had overlapping scheduled leaves of absence during peak retail season, creating immediate functional coverage gaps at a time when the business could not afford delays.
Critical Coverage Gaps During Peak Season
The client needed support across several essential Workday processes, including:
- Talent and performance management
- Workday Learning
- Compliance training
- Recruiting requisition processing
Without additional resources, the organization risked delays in performance evaluations, mandatory training enrollment, candidate movement, and hiring workflows.
Rigid Support Model Slowing Progress
In addition to internal Workday staffing gaps, the client’s existing support structure relied on an AMS provider that required significant upfront effort before executing even minor updates. This created delays and limited the organization’s ability to respond quickly to changing priorities.
Gap Between Maintenance and Optimization
While basic break/fix support was available, the system lacked ongoing enhancements. Critical business processes were not being refined or improved, leading to inefficiencies across the platform.
Pace of Change Outrunning Support Capabilities
The organization was moving quickly as workforce strategies and operational priorities evolved. The existing model could not keep up, creating a growing backlog of improvements and unmet needs.
The Solution
The Planet Group delivered a flexible, embedded support model through Workday staff augmentation, enabling the client to move faster and make meaningful system improvements in real time.
Initial Technical Support Deployment
The engagement began when The Planet Group was brought in to provide immediate Workday functional support during a peak business period. We placed two key resources:
- A Workday integrations specialist
- An analyst to support planning and system direction
These consultants helped our client keep critical Workday processes moving while key internal employees were on leave. Furthermore, they established a strong technical foundation and helped define immediate priorities.
Expansion Across Functional Workstreams
Following the success of the initial engagement, the client expanded its partnership with The Planet Group to address broader Workday support needs. We provided additional specialized resources across both functional and technical areas, including:
- Core HCM
- Time Tracking
- Talent and Recruiting
- Benefits
- Advanced Compensation
- Prism Analytics
This broadened coverage helped the client move beyond immediate coverage needs and begin addressing deeper system enhancements, process improvements, and optimization opportunities across the Workday environment.
Scaled, Specialized Talent
As the relationship expanded, the team scaled to seven Workday professionals, providing a blend of functional and technical expertise tailored to our client’s evolving needs.
Embedded, Agile Delivery Model
Unlike traditional support models, these resources operated directly within the client’s workflows, enabling:
- Faster turnaround on enhancements
- Immediate resolution of system issues
- Continuous alignment with business priorities
Coordinated Support Approach
To further enhance delivery, The Planet Group introduced a service management layer to help coordinate efforts and improve visibility across workstreams.
The Results
By deploying experienced Workday consultants quickly, The Planet Group helped the client maintain critical HR operations during a peak business period and later expand support into broader Workday optimization and unlock greater value from their Workday investment.
Maintained Operational Continuity
Planet’s initial support helped the client keep essential Workday processes moving despite temporary skills gaps. Talent and performance activities, compliance training, and recruiting workflows continued without major disruption.
Reduced Pressure on Internal Teams
The consultants absorbed critical functional responsibilities while key employees were on leave, allowing the remaining internal team to stay focused on other urgent business priorities.
Accelerated System Enhancements
The team addressed a backlog of updates and implemented improvements across multiple modules, allowing the system to better support current business needs.
Improved Recruiting Efficiency
Planet helped support revised candidate processing protocols, streamlined candidate tracking and evaluation workflows, and enabled hiring managers to continue moving candidates through the pipeline during a high-demand period.
Strengthened Compliance Tracking
The team supported Workday Learning enrollment and monitored compliance training progress, helping reduce the risk of missed or delayed mandatory training.
Expanded Workday Optimization
With dedicated functional and technical expertise in place, our client was able to move beyond maintenance and focus on Workday optimization, refining processes and improving system performance over time.
Enhanced User Experience
Updates to configurations and workflows reduced friction for end users, leading to a more intuitive and effective Workday experience.
Strong Stakeholder Satisfaction
Our client expressed high satisfaction with the quality and impact of the resources that we provided, noting our team’s ability to deliver meaningful improvements across the platform.
Sustained Engagement
The partnership continued beyond the initial coverage need, with multiple resources remaining in place to support ongoing priorities and future initiatives.
Supporting Workday Continuity and Long-Term Optimization
This engagement highlights a broader reality: Workday environments require continuous attention to remain aligned with the business.
For this retailer, the initial challenge was immediate. The Planet Group’s Workday staff augmentation model provided the specialized support needed to maintain continuity across recruiting, talent, performance, and compliance processes.
By embedding specialized talent directly into the organization’s workflows, The Planet Group enabled a more responsive and scalable approach to Workday optimization.
Talk to a Workday Expert
If your Workday environment is struggling to keep pace with your business, the right talent model can make all the difference. Connect with The Planet Group to explore flexible staffing solutions that support long-term Workday success.
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