Workday Partners: Independent Advisory
Expert Workday guidance with no implementation conflict, from a certified Workday Advisory Partner
Discuss your Workday programmeWhat a Workday partner actually does
Workday partners fall into two broad categories: implementation partners who configure and deploy the platform, and advisory partners who provide independent strategic and programme guidance. HCM Advisory Service holds both Workday Advisory Partner and Workday Services Partner status, and operates exclusively as an adviser, earning no revenue from implementation work. That independence means every recommendation is made in your interest, not shaped by a delivery pipeline.
Updated: 16 July 2025
- Our role
- Independent Workday Advisory Partner, no implementation revenue
- Partner status
- Workday Advisory Partner and Workday Services Partner
- Works with
- Your existing implementation partner or system integrator
- Region
- Germany, Austria, Switzerland and global EMEA deployments
What we take on as your Workday partner
HCM Advisory works alongside your implementation partner at any stage of the Workday lifecycle, from initial strategy through deployment and into ongoing maintenance.
Preparation
- Digital HR strategy and HR-IT roadmap
- Cloud Readiness Check and programme scoping
- HCM software evaluation and RFP support
- Partner selection and contract review
Deployment
- Programme governance and project reviews
- Independent deployment review and sign-off support
- Works council and Betriebsrat negotiation support
- Programme and project management alongside your integrator
Ongoing Support
- Application Maintenance Service with defined SLA
- Release management across Workday’s twice-yearly updates
- Enhancement governance and backlog prioritisation
- Ad hoc expert support between release cycles
How we engage as a Workday partner
- 01
Initial Assessment
We review your current HR-IT landscape, programme status and objectives in a structured diagnostic. This produces a clear picture of where independent advisory adds the most value and how we fit alongside your existing Workday partner.
- 02
Scope Agreement
We define the engagement model: preparation, deployment support, AMS or a combination. Deliverables, governance touchpoints and escalation paths are agreed before work begins, so expectations are clear on all sides.
- 03
Active Advisory
Senior consultants, including former Workday DACH leadership, work directly on your programme. We attend steering committees, review configuration decisions, support works council negotiations and challenge assumptions where needed.
- 04
Continuous Review
We track progress against the agreed roadmap and flag risks early. After go-live, the same team transitions into release management and enhancement governance, maintaining continuity across the Workday lifecycle.
What you gain from an independent Workday partner
Workday partner coverage across DACH and beyond
HCM Advisory is headquartered in Bretten, Baden-Württemberg, with additional presence in Portugal and India. The team supports Workday programmes across Germany, Austria and Switzerland, as well as global and EMEA deployments for multinational organisations.
Trusted by leading organisations across DACH and globally
„HCM Advisory Service provided a detailed analysis for the optimisation of Workday as the leading HR platform at GEA, which GEA will take up internally in projects. The combination of profound HR process knowledge on the one hand and deep application knowledge around Workday on the other hand were of great advantage for us. Furthermore, Mr. Stegmann was entrusted with preparations for global payroll harmonisation. The analysis he developed was very helpful and illustrated the options for action in this area.“
„HCM Advisory Service, represented by Mr. Oliver Stegmann, was a significant support in the implementation of various functionalities in the Workday tool for the HR department of our organisation in Germany. Mr. Stegmann’s extensive experience in the SAP and Workday environment helped us on the one hand in developing the strategy for the introduction of Workday, and on the other hand in the very structured handling of operative project topics and work activities. Throughout the duration of the cooperation, Mr Stegmann always brought a great deal of commitment and experience to the discussions and was always available to provide us with advice and support. We would like to sincerely thank Mr Stegmann for his extremely competent support and advice during the implementation of the new HR technology in our company.“
Frequently asked questions about Workday partners
How much does working with a Workday partner cost?
Fees depend on the scope and phase of engagement: a short Cloud Readiness Check or programme review carries a different cost profile from a multi-year AMS arrangement. HCM Advisory does not publish fixed rates because each engagement is scoped individually. The most reliable starting point is a brief diagnostic conversation, after which a clear estimate can be provided.
What is the difference between a Workday implementation partner and a Workday advisory partner?
An implementation partner configures and deploys Workday and earns revenue from that delivery work. An advisory partner provides independent guidance on strategy, governance and programme management without implementing the system. HCM Advisory holds Workday Advisory Partner status and earns no implementation revenue, which removes the conflict of interest that can arise when the same firm advises and delivers.
Can HCM Advisory work alongside our existing Workday implementation partner?
Yes. HCM Advisory typically operates alongside the client’s chosen implementation partner, not instead of them. The advisory role covers governance, quality assurance, stakeholder management and areas such as works council negotiations that most system integrators do not handle directly.
At what stage of a Workday programme should we bring in an advisory partner?
Advisory input is valuable at any stage. Organisations that engage an advisory partner before selecting their implementation partner tend to make better-informed decisions on scope and contract terms. Those who engage during deployment benefit from independent oversight. Post go-live, advisory support covers release management and enhancements.
Does HCM Advisory cover works council and co-determination requirements in DACH?
Yes. Works council negotiations (Betriebsrat) and co-determination (Mitbestimmung) requirements are a specific area of expertise. The regulatory frameworks differ between Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and HCM Advisory has direct experience supporting these negotiations as part of Workday deployments across the region.
Which Workday modules and functional areas does HCM Advisory cover?
HCM Advisory covers the full Workday HCM suite, including core HR, payroll, recruiting, talent, learning, time tracking and integrations. The team also supports Finance transformations and global payroll harmonisation programmes where Workday is the central platform.
Is HCM Advisory’s Workday partner service available outside Germany?
HCM Advisory is based in Bretten, Germany, with additional presence in Portugal and India, and supports programmes across Germany, Austria and Switzerland as well as global and EMEA deployments. Many clients are multinationals with DACH headquarters running Workday across multiple countries.
What happens after the Workday go-live when working with HCM Advisory?
HCM Advisory offers an Application Maintenance Service (AMS) that covers application support under a defined SLA, release management across Workday’s twice-yearly updates, enhancement governance and ad hoc expert support. The same senior team that supported the deployment typically continues into the AMS phase, maintaining continuity.
Find the right Workday partner for your programme.
Tell us briefly about your programme stage and objectives. We come back to you quickly to discuss how independent advisory can help.
- Independent advice, no implementation revenue
- Workday Advisory Partner and Workday Services Partner status
- Founded by former Workday DACH leadership
Find the right Workday partner for your programme.
Discuss your Workday programme