March 31, 2026 – Workday Update
by Jenn Haas
Colleagues,
“Macalester’s Workday will be the worst it is ever going to be on the day it is launched. But it will only get better from there.”
One of our consultants shared that perspective in a recent meeting, and it stuck with me as we get closer to go-live.
We are now nine months into this project and can see the finish line. Banner was built and refined to fit Macalester over more than 20 years and we are building HR and Finance into Workday in less than a year. The philosophy of this implementation is a bit like buying a house. When we launch in June, it is like closing day. We will move in, and make adjustments as we get to know the space and how it works for the community.
The project team has been working intensely to configure Workday to support the processes they carry out every day. We are now in an end-to-end testing phase to ensure those processes function as expected.
What this means for you is that, on day one, you will be able to complete the core tasks you currently do in Banner, but the system will continue to evolve and improve over time. We will learn from how people use Workday and where we can make things simpler and more intuitive.
This is also a bit of a heads-up: it will not be perfect on day one. That is expected with a project of this scale. What you can expect is a strong foundation, ongoing improvements, and support along the way. We continue to build out the project website (check out what to expect here: https://www.macalester.edu/workday/what-to-expect/ ).
At the same time, it is exciting to see the potential to reduce long-standing pain points and create better, more efficient ways of working. That potential is what continues to motivate the team through what has been, and will continue to be, a demanding effort.
I want to take a moment to recognize the extraordinary work of the project team: https://www.macalester.edu/workday/#who . They have been deeply engaged in this effort for months, balancing their regular responsibilities while building something new for the entire campus. Their commitment, care, and persistence are what will make this transition successful.
In the coming weeks, we will continue to share more information about training, support, and what to expect as we approach launch. If you have questions or would like us to attend a department meeting to talk about the project, reach out to: [email protected]
Thank you for your patience, partnership, and support as we move through this important transition.