This article outlines the typical milestones and timelines for Change Requests and Projects. Use these as planning estimates for visibility, tracking, and expectation setting.
Change Requests (Small Enhancements or Configuration Updates)
These typically don’t need full discovery or stakeholder engagement, but they should follow a consistent structure for visibility and tracking.
| Milestone |
Description |
Typical Duration |
| Request Intake & Review |
Review the request, clarify scope, confirm feasibility, and determine routing (whether configuration, report, or business process). |
1–3 business days |
| Requirements Confirmation |
Validate requirements with requester or functional lead (if needed). |
2–5 business days |
| Configuration or Development |
Complete system configuration or report changes; document any system impacts. |
5–10 business days |
| Peer Review / Internal Testing |
Conduct internal validation or peer review (User Solutions, BPM, or equivalent team). |
2–3 business days |
| User Testing (UAT) |
Requester or designated functional tester verifies outcome in sandbox/test tenant. |
3–5 business days |
| Approval & Migration |
Obtain final approval from requester or functional lead; submit Jira/WSS change ticket for production move. |
2–5 business days |
| Post-Implementation Review |
Verify successful migration, update knowledge base (if applicable), and close the request. |
2–3 business days |
⏱ Typical Timeline: 2–4 weeks total
Projects (Full Discovery and Implementation Initiatives)
For large-scale efforts involving cross-functional teams, discovery, documentation, and phased implementation.
| Milestone |
Description |
Typical Duration |
| Project Initiation / Intake |
Collect background, define the problem statement, identify stakeholders, and confirm project type (process, configuration, report). |
1–2 weeks |
| Discovery & Current State Analysis |
Conduct discovery meetings, review current processes, gather data, and document pain points. |
2–4 weeks |
| Future State Design & Mapping |
Create process maps, SOPs, or flowcharts for the proposed future state. Identify changes needed in Workday or related systems. |
2–3 weeks |
| Requirements & Solution Design |
Draft requirements, confirm feasibility with technical/configuration teams, and finalize design documentation. |
2–4 weeks |
| Configuration / Build |
Implement changes in the sandbox or test environment, create supporting materials, and prepare for testing. |
3–6 weeks |
| Testing & Validation (UAT) |
Conduct internal and end-user testing; log issues and iterate as needed. |
2–3 weeks |
| Stakeholder Review & Approval |
Present solution to stakeholders for sign-off and readiness for production migration. |
1–2 weeks |
| Production Migration & Communication |
Submit Jira/WSS tickets, coordinate release timing, and issue campus communications or KBAs. |
1–2 weeks |
| Post-Implementation Review & Optimization |
Confirm successful implementation, collect feedback, document lessons learned, and close the project. |
1–2 weeks |
⏱ Typical Timeline: 8–16 weeks total (depending on scope)