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Workday Basics Series

Workday Education

The Workday Basics Series is an introduction to the Workday platform, priming you for a career with Workday technology. You’ll learn about the core functionalities of Workday and the foundational frameworks that allow Workday to support some of the largest organizations in the world.

You will start out with Workday Basics, where you will learn about Workday terminology, navigation, the business process framework, configurable security, and object-oriented reporting.

Read more

The Workday Basics Series is an introduction to the Workday platform, priming you for a career with Workday technology. You’ll learn about the core functionalities of Workday and the foundational frameworks that allow Workday to support some of the largest organizations in the world.

You will start out with Workday Basics, where you will learn about Workday terminology, navigation, the business process framework, configurable security, and object-oriented reporting.

Then you will move on to Workday Beyond Basics, where you will learn about the Workday update process, tenant branding, advanced security controls, data analytics functionality, and how Workday helps business users improve operational efficiency.

The Workday Basics Series is designed to be your first-step towards learning the Workday platform and determining if a career with Workday technology is right for you. No prior Workday training is required or expected.

If you commit to earning a certificate, you will be eligible for a Workday Basics badge and can join the Learn with Workday Talent Directory to signal your interest in joining the Workday ecosystem.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Workday Basics
Workday Basics is your entry point to a rewarding career using Workday technology. In this course, you will learn why companies choose Workday. You will also gain an understanding of the foundational frameworks that allow Workday to uniquely support organizations and their goals.
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Delves into foundational frameworks that allow Workday to uniquely support large organizations
Introduces core Workday functionalities that are essential for understanding
Emphasis on the Workday update process, which is critical for system maintenance
Covers advanced security controls, ensuring data protection and compliance
Explores data analytics functionality, enabling businesses to make informed decisions
Serves as a stepping stone towards a career in Workday technology

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Reviews summary

Workday basics: essential career introduction

According to learners, the Workday Basics Series provides a solid foundation and an excellent introduction to the Workday platform. Many found the lectures clear and concise and the practical demonstrations helpful for understanding core functionalities like navigation, business processes, and security. While it is praised as a crucial first step for a Workday career and requires no prior experience, some students noted that the course is high-level and may lack sufficient depth in certain areas like data analytics. Learners anticipate the need for additional resources or practical experience for more advanced proficiency.
Engaging lectures and practical demos simplify complex topics.
"The lectures are clear and concise, covering essential concepts... I especially appreciated the practical demonstrations which made complex topics easier to grasp."
"The instructor explained complex topics simply, and I loved how they broke down the security model."
"I found the Workday Basics module very helpful for getting familiar with the terminology and basic navigation."
Directly relevant and highly beneficial for Workday careers.
"This is exactly what I needed to get my foot in the door."
"Highly recommend for career changers."
"It's a good preparatory step for anyone considering a career in Workday."
Provides a strong and clear introduction to Workday concepts.
"This course is an excellent starting point for anyone looking to understand Workday. ... It really lays a solid foundation for further learning."
"Absolutely invaluable! As someone new to Workday, this series provided an amazing overview of the system's capabilities."
"The best introduction to Workday I could find! It covers everything from navigation to basic reporting and security principles."
Some learners desired more interactive exercises and practice.
"While it covers 'basics', I found the course lacked real hands-on scenarios. It's mostly theoretical explanations..."
"For a system like Workday, I really needed more interactive exercises. The content felt a bit dry at times."
"I was hoping for more practical exercises or case studies that were deeper than what was provided."
First step, requiring additional resources for proficiency.
"It sets you up for more advanced topics, but you'll definitely need to seek out additional resources for in-depth knowledge."
"It's a good first step, but you'll need practical experience or further specialized training to really become proficient."
"While it provides a good overview, I know I'll need more hands-on training to really master Workday."
Serves as an introduction, not an in-depth technical dive.
"I felt some parts were rushed or lacked sufficient detail. Specifically, the data analytics functionality felt glossed over."
"It's a foundational course, and it does what it says. However, I found it a bit too basic for my needs..."
"If you're looking for deep technical understanding, this isn't it. It's a 'basics' course, so manage your expectations."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Workday Basics Series with these activities:
Review key Workday concepts
Help establish a foundation for the Workday Basics Series by giving yourself a refresher on some key concepts you will encounter in the course.
Show steps
  • Review the Workday documentation.
  • Attend a webinar or workshop on Workday.
Follow a Workday tutorial
Enhance your understanding of Workday's features and functionality by following a guided tutorial.
Show steps
  • Find a Workday tutorial that aligns with your learning goals.
  • Follow the tutorial step-by-step.
  • Take notes or screenshots as needed.
Take a Workday practice test
Reinforce your understanding of the core functionalities of Workday by taking a practice test.
Show steps
  • Take the practice test at the end of each module in the Workday Basics Series.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Create a Workday glossary
Create a personalized resource that will help you retain the key terms and concepts covered in the Workday Basics Series.
Show steps
  • Identify key terms and concepts from the Workday Basics Series.
  • Define each term and concept in your own words.
  • Organize your glossary alphabetically or by topic.
Connect with Workday professionals
Expand your network and gain insights from experienced Workday professionals.
Show steps
  • Attend Workday events and meetups.
  • Join Workday user groups and online communities.
  • Reach out to Workday professionals on LinkedIn.
Build a Workday configuration demo
Apply your knowledge of Workday's configurable security and object-oriented reporting by building a simple demo configuration.
Show steps
  • Identify a simple business process to configure in Workday.
  • Create a Workday tenant and configure the necessary security settings.
  • Create custom objects and reports to support your business process.
  • Test your configuration and make adjustments as needed.
Participate in a Workday hackathon
Challenge yourself and showcase your Workday skills by participating in a hackathon.
Show steps
  • Find a Workday hackathon that aligns with your interests.
  • Form a team or work individually.
  • Develop a creative solution to the hackathon challenge.
  • Present your solution to a panel of judges.
Volunteer with a Workday customer
Gain hands-on experience and contribute to a real-world Workday implementation.
Show steps
  • Identify Workday customers in your area.
  • Contact the customers and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
  • Assist with tasks such as data migration, testing, or training.

Career center

Learners who complete Workday Basics Series will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Software Architect
A Software Architect designs, builds, and maintains software applications, and will need a deep understanding of the underlying technology, including the frameworks and tools that support it. As such, the Workday Basics Series will be especially instructive, as it will teach you about Workday's object-oriented reporting, configurable security, and data analytics functionality among other core functionalities of the Workday platform.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Architect
Program Manager
Program Managers are responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating the activities of a program, and must therefore have a deep understanding of the business and its goals. The Workday Basics Series will provide you with a strong working knowledge of Workday's project management capabilities, which will help you to be more effective in your role.
See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager
Sales Manager
Sales Managers are responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating the sales activities of an organization, and must therefore have a deep understanding of the business and its customers. The Workday Basics Series will provide you with a strong working knowledge of Workday's sales management capabilities, which will help you to be more effective in your role.
See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers are responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating the marketing activities of an organization, and must therefore have a deep understanding of the business and its customers. The Workday Basics Series will provide you with a strong working knowledge of Workday's marketing capabilities, which will help you to be more effective in your role.
See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager
Customer Success Manager
Customer Success Managers are responsible for ensuring that customers are satisfied with their products or services, and must therefore have a deep understanding of the business and its customers. The Workday Basics Series will provide you with a strong working knowledge of Workday's customer relationship management capabilities, which will help you to be more effective in your role.
See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Success Manager
Product Manager
Product Managers are responsible for planning, developing, and marketing new products or services, and must therefore have a deep understanding of the business and its customers. The Workday Basics Series will provide you with a strong working knowledge of Workday's product management capabilities, which will help you to be more effective in your role.
See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager
Business Analyst
As a Business Analyst, you must clearly understand the business requirements of your clients and translate these requirements into technical specifications that software engineers can use to develop applications. The Workday Basics Series will provide you with a deep understanding of Workday's business process framework, which will make you more effective at gathering and analyzing requirements, drafting specifications, and managing projects.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst
Data Analyst
As a Data Analyst, you will be responsible for collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data in order to provide insights that can improve decision-making. The Workday Basics Series will provide you with a strong understanding of Workday's data analytics functionality, and will help you build the skills you need to succeed in this role.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts are responsible for analyzing financial data and providing recommendations to management, and must therefore have a deep understanding of the business and its financial systems. The Workday Basics Series will provide you with a strong working knowledge of Workday's financial management capabilities, which will help you to be more effective in your role.
See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst
Human Resources Manager
Human Resources Managers are responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating the human resources activities of an organization, and must therefore have a deep understanding of the business and its employees. The Workday Basics Series will provide you with a strong working knowledge of Workday's human capital management capabilities, which will help you to be more effective in your role.
See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager
Recruiter
Recruiters are responsible for finding and hiring the best talent for their organizations, and must therefore have a deep understanding of the business and its hiring needs. The Workday Basics Series will provide you with a strong working knowledge of Workday's recruiting capabilities, which will help you to be more effective in your role.
See salaries and explore the career path for Recruiter
Operations Manager
Operations Managers are responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing the activities of a business unit, and must therefore have a deep understanding of the business and its technology. The Workday Basics Series will provide you with a strong working knowledge of the Workday platform, and will help you understand how Workday can be used to improve operational efficiency.
See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager
IT Consultant
IT Consultants help organizations select, implement, and manage software applications, and must therefore have a broad understanding of the available technologies. The Workday Basics Series will provide you with a strong working knowledge of one of the leading enterprise software platforms, and help you position yourself as an expert in this field.
See salaries and explore the career path for IT Consultant
Software Engineer
The Workday platform is used by some of the world's largest organizations, and as a Software Engineer you will be responsible for developing and maintaining the applications that run on this platform. If you wish to enter this field, the Workday Basics Series will provide you with the foundational knowledge and skills you need, starting with a detailed introduction to the Workday platform and its core functionalities.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer
Project Manager
As a Project Manager, you will be responsible for planning, executing, and managing software development projects, and this includes selecting and implementing the right technology for the job. The Workday Basics Series will provide you with a strong working knowledge of the Workday platform and will help you understand the unique benefits and challenges of using Workday.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Reading list

We've selected six books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Workday Basics Series.
Cover image
Bad Boss
Save
A beginner-friendly introduction to Workday, written in a clear and concise style.
Bad Boss
Paperback
Check
Bad Boss
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
The Art of Social Excellence
Save
This official user guide from Workday provides detailed instructions and step-by-step guidance on using the Workday platform. It valuable reference tool for both beginners and experienced users.
The Art of Social Excellence
Paperback
Check
The Art of Social Excellence
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Markets without Limits
Save
Covers the security features of Workday and best practices for ensuring data integrity and compliance.
Markets without Limits: Moral Virtues and...
Paperback
$$
Markets without Limits: Moral Virtues and...
Hardcover
$$$$
Markets without Limits: Moral Virtues and...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
50 Licks
Save
Provides guidance on using Workday for sales management, lead generation, and customer relationship management.
50 Licks: Myths and Stories from Half a Century of...
Audible Audiobook
$$
50 Licks: Myths and Stories from Half a Century of...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Robie's Last Case
Save
Provides technical guidance on implementing, maintaining, and troubleshooting Workday systems.
Robie's Last Case (Detective John Robichaud...
Paperback
$$
Robie's Last Case (Detective John Robichaud...
Kindle Edition
$
Cover image
Spare Me, Kill the Rest
Save
Provides guidance on managing Workday systems, including user provisioning, security configuration, and performance optimization.
Spare Me, Kill the Rest: A Sleeping Dogs Thriller...
Paperback
$$
Spare Me, Kill the Rest: A Sleeping Dogs Thriller...
Kindle Edition
$

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Course image
Effort
Approximately 10 hours
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
Workday
Instructor
Workday Education
Language
English
Transcripts
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Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Delves into foundational frameworks that allow Workday to uniquely support large organizations
Introduces core Workday functionalities that are essential for understanding
Emphasis on the Workday update process, which is critical for system maintenance
Covers advanced security controls, ensuring data protection and compliance
Explores data analytics functionality, enabling businesses to make informed decisions
Serves as a stepping stone towards a career in Workday technology
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