Going live with UKG Pro WFM is a milestone.
But for many organizations, it is also the moment when a new reality begins.
The project team steps back. The system is live. And suddenly, the responsibility for keeping UKG Pro WFM running, stable and relevant lands with a small internal group — often on top of their existing roles.
What follows is rarely planned, but highly recognizable.
Life after go-live: when good intentions aren’t enough
In the weeks and months after go-live, UKG Pro WFM quickly becomes part of daily operations. Schedules are created, time is captured, rules are applied, reports are expected.
And then the questions start:
- “Can we make a small change to this rule?”
- “Why does this report look different than expected?”
- “A new release is coming — do we need to do anything?”
- “Who actually owns this request?”
Most organizations start out confident. After all, the system is live and working.
But slowly, UKG Pro WFM slips into ‘firefighting mode’.
The signs of firefighting
Firefighting rarely looks dramatic at first. It shows up in small, everyday patterns:
- Change requests take longer than expected
- Optimization ideas get parked “for later”
- Reporting is exported to Excel because it’s quicker
- Knowledge becomes concentrated with one or two key users
- New UKG functionality is available, but not adopted
None of these are failures.
They are symptoms of a system that no longer has clear ownership.
And over time, firefighting becomes the norm.
Why this happens — even in strong organizations
UKG Pro WFM is a sophisticated platform. It touches:
- HR
- Operations
- Payroll
- IT
- Compliance
After go-live, ownership often becomes fragmented.
Everyone assumes someone else is “watching the system.”
At the same time, internal experts are expected to:
- Support users
- Handle incidents
- Keep up with releases
- Improve the system
- Advise the business
All alongside their day-to-day responsibilities.
Eventually, something has to give.
Control is not about more tickets — it’s about ownership
The organizations that successfully move beyond firefighting don’t do so by working harder or logging more tickets.
They make a different choice.
They move from reactive support to structured ownership.
Full control of UKG Pro WFM means:
- Clear accountability for the system
- A predictable way of handling change
- Proactive release and compliance management
- A roadmap that actually gets executed
In other words:
UKG Pro WFM is no longer “just running” — it is being actively managed.
From stability to optimization — and beyond
Control does not happen overnight. It usually follows a clear progression:
- Stabilization
Ensuring the system runs reliably, issues are resolved quickly, and users are supported. - Optimization
Improving configuration, reporting and processes so UKG Pro WFM works for the organization, not around it. - Growth & future readiness
Adopting new UKG functionality, improving analytics, and preparing for future workforce challenges.
Each phase builds on the previous one — and each requires time, focus and expertise.
What changes when organizations regain control
When UKG Pro WFM is properly owned and managed, the shift is noticeable.
Teams experience:
- Less pressure on key individuals
- Faster response to business needs
- Better use of standard functionality
- More confidence in data and reporting
Perhaps most importantly, conversations change.
Instead of:
“Can we fix this issue?”
They become:
“How can UKG Pro WFM support what we want to achieve next?”
Moving forward
UKG Pro WFM was never meant to be a system that is simply “kept alive.”
It is designed to evolve with your organization — but only if it is given the right level of ownership, attention and expertise.
Moving from firefighting to full control is not about starting over.
It is about choosing a model that supports the system beyond go-live.
And for many organizations, that choice determines whether UKG Pro WFM remains a daily struggle — or becomes a long-term strategic asset.
Ready to move from firefighting to full control?
If you recognize the challenges described above, you’re not alone.
At Simms & Associates, we support organizations that already use UKG Pro WFM with Application Managed Services — providing structured ownership, ongoing optimization and predictable support beyond go-live.
Explore UKG Pro WFM Application Managed Services or request a free AMS assessment to see what a future-proof support model could look like for your organization.
Together, we make WFM work.