Flinders University has become the first university in Australia to launch global human resources platform Workday HCM, as part of a sweeping digital overhaul of its systems across everything from teaching and learning, to research support and administration. 

Workday is an enterprise cloud application centred around planning, recruiting and developing talent within a single system. The comprehensive platform is used by international enterprises known for harnessing the latest technology – including Hewlett Packard, Netflix and Audible (Amazon). 

Flinders University’s decision to invest in Workday forms part of a broader modernisation of its systems designed to empower students and staff with a world-class digital environment to support their success. This strategy is key to advancing the achievements of its people and progressing the University towards its ambitious goals. 

This latest initiative is enabling the University’s People & Culture team to evolve from a transactional focus to an advisory partnership role – expected to bring greater engagement with staff, benefit staff development and ultimately enhance job satisfaction and productivity. 

Steve Barrett, Director, People & Culture at Flinders University says: “Introducing Workday is an exciting change for Flinders. We’ve reviewed and refined over ninety of our processes with a focus on making life easier for our people and removing time consuming administrative processes.” 

Kerrie Campbell, Flinders University Chief Information Officer, says the project is a significant milestone in the University’s technological transformation. 

“Workday will allow us to secure, manage and utilise our workforce data more effectively and will unlock many opportunities, including further technology changes in coming months,” Ms Campbell says. 

“What it’s about is ensuring our people are supported to be the best they can be. This latest step in our digital overhaul is another example of Flinders University not only challenging the status quo in the tertiary sector, but becoming leaders in embracing technology to advance excellence.” 

Despite disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic the project was delivered with minimal delays, through a concerted effort including staff training, extensive testing and configuration completed remotely by, and to, staff working from their homes.