In what ways can we enhance Workday's mobile app to better support remote workers?

Introduction

Enhancing Workday's mobile app to better support remote workers is a critical initiative given the evolving nature of work. As we dive into this product improvement case, I'll focus on understanding the current state of the app, identifying key user segments and their pain points, and proposing innovative solutions that align with Workday's broader strategy. Let's begin by clarifying some crucial aspects of the product and its context.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (5 mins)

• Looking at the product context, I'm thinking about the primary use cases for remote workers. Could you help me understand the top 3-4 features or workflows that remote employees typically use in the Workday mobile app?

Why it matters: This will help us focus our improvement efforts on the most critical areas. Expected answer: Time tracking, expense reporting, leave requests, and accessing pay information. Impact on approach: Would prioritize enhancing these core features for mobile optimization.

• Considering user behavior, I'm curious about the cross-platform usage patterns. What percentage of Workday users primarily access the platform via mobile vs. desktop, and how has this changed since the rise of remote work?

Why it matters: Helps determine if we need to focus on feature parity or mobile-specific optimizations. Expected answer: Mobile usage has increased from 30% to 50% since the shift to remote work. Impact on approach: Would emphasize mobile-first design and potentially unique mobile features.

• Thinking about the product lifecycle, where does the Workday mobile app currently stand, and what key metrics are driving this improvement initiative?

Why it matters: Determines if we optimize for growth, retention, or feature expansion. Expected answer: Mature product with high adoption, focusing on increasing daily active users and task completion rates. Impact on approach: Would prioritize user engagement and efficiency improvements over new feature development.

• Considering external factors, how does Workday's mobile app currently compare to competitors in supporting remote workers, and what emerging trends or technologies should we be aware of?

Why it matters: Helps identify opportunities for differentiation and innovation. Expected answer: Workday is strong in core HR functions but lags in collaboration features and AI-driven insights. Impact on approach: Would explore integrating emerging technologies like AI assistants or augmented reality for remote collaboration.