Five Key Findings From The Forrester Wave™: Workday Services, Q2 2026

2026-07-22 · Source: Featured Blogs - Forrester · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Cloud Computing & IT Infrastructure, Emerging Technologies & Innovation · Depth: Intermediate, quick

Summary

The Forrester Wave™: Workday Services, Q2 2026 report evaluates 14 significant Workday services providers, highlighting a market shift where buyers seek strategic partners for continuous transformation and AI operationalization, not just implementation. Five key findings emerged: Workday services are now an AI-led transformation market, with leaders offering AI-enabled consulting and industry-specific AI solutions. The focus has moved from traditional implementation to continuous value realization, emphasizing optimization, adoption, and managed services. Industry expertise is a critical differentiator as Workday expands into finance, planning, and specific sectors like healthcare and financial services. Successful providers invest heavily in Workday-certified talent and robust global delivery models. Finally, boutique firms maintain an important role, particularly for midmarket organizations and those requiring deep functional expertise, competing through specialized capabilities and customer intimacy.

Key takeaway

For Directors of AI/ML or VPs of Engineering evaluating Workday service partners, your selection criteria must extend beyond basic implementation capacity. Prioritize providers demonstrating strong AI-led transformation capabilities, a clear roadmap for continuous value realization, and deep industry-specific expertise. Aligning partner selection with your long-term business transformation objectives is crucial to maximize your Workday investment and operationalize AI effectively.

Key insights

The Workday services market now prioritizes AI-led transformation and continuous value over traditional implementation, demanding strategic partners with deep industry and talent expertise.

Principles

• Workday services are evolving into an AI-led transformation market.
• Continuous value realization supersedes one-time implementation.
• Deep industry expertise differentiates Workday service providers.

In practice

• Evaluate Workday partners for AI-enabled transformation capabilities.
• Prioritize partners offering continuous value and optimization services.
• Seek partners with specialized industry knowledge for specific needs.

Topics

• Workday Services
• AI-led Transformation
• Continuous Value
• Industry Expertise
• Talent & Delivery Models

Best for: CTO, Executive, Director of AI/ML, VP of Engineering/Data, Consultant

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Featured Blogs - Forrester.