Workday will transform administrative data and analytics at Johns Hopkins. Jay Syed, Sightline director of data analytics, shares insights on how Workday will provide real-time, user-friendly reports that empower employees across HR, finance, supply chain, and sponsored projects.
Q: How do Johns Hopkins staff and faculty work with administrative data today?
A: Today, navigating administrative data at Johns Hopkins can feel like piecing together a puzzle. Business analysts have inconsistent access to reports. Some might go directly to SAP, while others use outside tools. This approach makes finding clear, consistent data a challenge, which can cause confusion and slow down decision-making.
Q: How will Sightline and Workday improve administrative data and analytics at Johns Hopkins?
A: Imagine having real-time, user-friendly reports at your fingertips with Workday. Key benefits will include:
- Integrated systems: HR, finance, supply chain, and sponsored projects will all be connected, so you’ll have a holistic view without the hassle.
- Easier access: Improved usability will make it simpler for staff to find and use the data they need.
- Better accuracy: Standardized reports mean fewer variations and more reliable information.
- Future-ready scalability: As a cloud-based system, Workday will keep evolving, ensuring it meets our future reporting needs.
Q: How are you engaging Johns Hopkins employees to inform the design of reports in Workday?
A: Sightline has been capturing current state challenges across different stakeholder groups throughout the various program phases. In addition, the Sightline team sent a survey to over 3000 employees—from nurse managers to administrative staff—who currently use reports in SAP. Over 700 responses from that survey will begin to inform decisions on report variety, features, and training as reporting is built out leading up to Workday go live in 2027. Many survey respondents indicated interest in further engagement as reports get designed—so it’s exciting to know we can plan further engagement activities with the people who use this data regularly. Continued input and feedback are essential to the success of future reporting with Workday.
Q: How will reporting change with Workday?
A: Standard Workday reports will become the go-to for insights. This shift means less time spent pulling data manually and more time focusing on what those insights mean for our work. For example, if you’re looking at a purchase order report, you’ll be able to quickly review details of a division in that report with just a few clicks. We’re also collaborating with various departments to ensure all existing outside systems work smoothly with Workday reporting.
Q: What does data governance look like with Workday?
A: JHU and JHHS leadership are forming a data governance body for administrative analytics called Data Governance and Intelligence Solutions (DGIS). The goal is to standardize governance of administrative data across the enterprise so that the university and health system can make well informed, collective decisions. Employees will have an easy way to seek support and connect with data stewards who can help clarify information about Workday data.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to share?
A: The goal of Sightline is to simplify as much as possible and find new pathways for sharing data and insights. Workday provides a unique opportunity to reduce the clutter of existing reports. We imagine a future that focuses less on the mechanics of report generation and more on driving meaningful decisions that support the Johns Hopkins mission.