Upgrading, optimizing, or implementing a new Dayforce or UKG system can be challenging. These powerful HR management tools have a huge range of features, but few HR management teams have the time or bandwidth to learn the depth and scope of capabilities. As a result, many are failing to take advantage of everything their platform has to offer. Partnering with third-party HCM experts enables a business to implement change that will be meaningful to the organization immediately, as well as in the long-term.
However, not all solutions providers are equal. Some are more qualified than others to carry you through a smooth transition. Here’s what to look for in an HCM partner.
They should understand your industry and line of business
There are many aspects of human capital management that are standard across industries. The overarching issues of compliance, reporting, time and labor management, overtime classifications, etc. are all baked into HR. However, each industry has specific nuances and each business has its own unique needs.
Working with an HCM partner with experience in your industry means they have seen best practices and mistakes from other similar businesses. A quality HCM partner will apply their own real-world experience to provide you with helpful ideas and guidance.
They should probe deeper into the reasons behind the change
Experienced HCM partners will not be satisfied simply implementing your transformation. They will want to gather as much context as possible. In many instances, the reason for the change is revealed to be a symptom of a larger issue.
Exposing this root cause often influences the overall strategy, resulting in a more effective, lasting change. A quality HCM partner will be vigilant about understanding the bigger picture before they suggest a path forward.
They should speak plainly
Jumping directly to industry jargon risks overlooking important requirements or falling out of sync with your HCM partner early on. Speak to your HCM partner in clear language, explaining exactly which features and functions you need—and why they matter.
Our HCM experts sit with stakeholders, watching them work and asking specific questions. Screen-sharing also enables us to see what issues our clients are referring to.
Obtaining signoff on requirements is only possible when everyone understands the ultimate goals and outcomes. Correctly articulating system requirements before making any software updates reduces work on the back end, ultimately saving time and money.
They should eliminate departmental silos
Whether aging processes have been grandfathered in or disparate processes suddenly mesh after M&A, businesses may find themselves working in silos, or worse, fail to realize departments are working independently. HCM platforms affect much more than just HR.
Payroll, finance, operations, and employee experience are all influenced by these systems.
A great HCM partner will work with stakeholders at all levels across the organization to understand how a change to one aspect of your platform will influence other elements of your HR workflow. In many instances, a single elegant solution can address multiple issues at once.
They ease the transition by making everyone feel included
Changes to your HCM platform can be jarring for individuals accustomed to their existing workflow. Improving adoption requires achieving buy-in from all stakeholders before implementing any changes.
The most effective way to achieve buy-in is to include stakeholders in the process, ensuring their experience and needs are accounted for. An effective HCM partner helps communicate the benefits of change to your teams, ensuring staff can easily incorporate new HCM processes into their workflow.
They insist on documentation
Outgoing employees often take their knowledge of an HCM system with them. This knowledge attrition means your teams are not capitalizing on the full capabilities of your platform.
If your HCM processes are not clearly articulated now, a successful HCM partner will insist on starting documentation immediately. Documented processes protect against knowledge loss through employee turnover, make onboarding for new staff easier, and provide a valuable starting point for future updates or upgrades.
Take the time to find the right partner
Avoid rushing into an engagement because you feel you’re already behind. Learning more about how each HCM partner operates will help you choose the right experts for your transition. Even if you have already done some work with an HCM partner, it’s never too late to switch to a new provider if you feel like the engagement isn’t truly serving your organization’s needs.
Ready to take your Dayforce or UKG system to the next level? Contact our HCM experts to start a conversation.