In our second installment of Propel LMU Spotlight we chatted with co-program leads Maria Cano and Michael Sun, who are guiding the Workday budget and enterprise efforts. Propel LMU Spotlight highlights the colleagues working behind the scenes to lead the two-year development and implementation of Workday financial and human resource management systems.
Outside of Propel, what is your job at LMU and how did it prepare you for your role as project lead?
Maria Cano (MC): I’m the assistant provost for academic budget and planning. Our office provides assistance to the colleges, schools, and academic units with financial and budget planning. Our work spans several business processes from financial planning to budgeting to budget approvals and reporting. Workday will replace many of the systems we currently use to conduct our work.
Michael Sun (MS): I’m the senior director of enterprise technology in ITS. There are 20-plus people in my team. We work with the LMU constituents to have a stable and reliable technology echo system, which has many technology components to make this work. We support the software systems, and interface between the systems and various reports. In addition, we stay abreast of the latest technology changes to ensure LMU keeps up with the latest technology advances. Propel/Workday is a key step for LMU to bring the systems and processes into the new cloud technology era.
We’re at about the half-way mark to go-live. Reflecting on how far we’ve come, and what we still have left to do, how are you feeling about the project in general and Workday in particular?
MC: There’s been a lot of work leading up to this point, and most of it has been the not-so-fun part of the system setup. Now that we are halfway into the project, I’m really excited because we now see how it all comes together. In recent customer confirmation sessions, we got to see how Workday works. The system integration will facilitate different business processes. All the work leading up to now has been worth it!
MS: For my team, these next three to five months are the hardest part of the project. System configurations, integrations, data conversion and testing are all going at full speed. We have a really good team. So, I feel confident that we will be successful. But it will certainly be challenging and stressful during the process.
In your area, what are you most excited about with the transition to Workday?
MC: It’s interesting that you ask, because there’s a lot of different things I’m excited about! But one of the most transformative pieces of Workday for me so far has been the grants. It’s just amazing, the functionality that we’re going to have with Workday. There’s going to be so much more data that’s readily available to us. Reports that used to take so much time to put together manually will now be at our fingertips. Every time I see a demo or see something new, I’m like, “Wow! Yes! How did we ever do without this?”
MS: Workday is a pure cloud application. Coming with the application is a new technology platform that will enable LMU to continue with our forward movement. I’m excited to see LMU embracing the new technology and all its possibilities. In short, like our tagline says it will “PROPEL LMU forward!”
In your area, what do you think will have the biggest learning curve, and how are you preparing for it?
MC: I think the biggest learning curve for us will be the budget module in Workday. The budgeting is robust and allows for new functionality. This part of the project begins in a few weeks. So, we’re just gearing up for that.
MS: It’s hard to learn and master a new technology platform, and the Workday platform will continue to evolve. The team has been to various trainings. But with ongoing training, hands-on experience and continued engagement with the vendor, we will be successful.
What can the average LMU community member expect to see in the coming months? What would you like to tell them or ask of them?
MC: In the coming months there will be a lot more communications around Workday. What I ask of them is to check our website to get updates. They can also reach out to members of their departments or colleges or schools who are part of the Propel engagement group or change network and provide feedback.
MS: Expect more communications from the project team, especially when we get closer to the May/June timeframe. As with any project this magnitude, there will be a (positive!) impact. The question to ask is: How do you see your area impacted/improved by Propel? Or, in short, how does Workday propel your area in particular?
The biggest burning question of them all: how will you celebrate after go-live?
MC: Oh, I want to go on vacation! Most definitely. I really want to just relax, preferably, somewhere there’s no connectivity [laughs]. For me the ideal spot to get away is up around Mammoth, with all the beautiful lakes up there and lots of places with no cell or internet reception.
MS: Celebration? More like post go-live tech support! But some Workday-less days would be welcomed.
Miss the last session of Propel LMU Spotlight, with Chad Slapnicka and Tracy Stewart? You can view the interview here. You can also learn more about the Propel LMU project at lmu.edu/propel.
