Workday Release & Adoption

Welcome to Release & Adoption
Your home for every Workday release at Howard.

This is where Howard prepares for each Workday feature release. The 2026 R2 release goes live on Saturday, September 19. Whether you are testing your area, following along, or simply want to know what is changing, start here. Each release moves through a governance framework, so what reaches production is reviewed, tested by the teams that own the work, and communicated before it happens.

Tip: Log in with your Howard credentials to sign up for testing and save your place across sessions.

Counting Down: September 19

Production release · 2026 R2
Preview opens August 15. Testing runs through mid September. 
Everything you need is on this page.

Getting Started

New to releases? Start with the release overview and the timeline below.

Testing R2? Sign up for the cohort and find your schedule. 

Questions? Every release question goes to one place: The Workday Help Channel 

Scan the QR code on your invitation to land right here.

Sign up for R2 testing

Sign up for R2 testing below: Takes two minutes. One signup per functional area.

Workday release timeline

Find your starting point

New to Workday releases icon

New to Workday releases?

What a release is, what changes automatically versus what your area chooses, and what R2 means for your day to day.

THIS COVERS

- What is new in R2, in plain language
- Automatic changes versus optional features
- Where to find the official documentation

  • Start here →
Joining the testing cohort icon

Joining the testing cohort?

Confirm your area's critical processes still work in the preview tenant. Testing is light and owned by your team, with help on hand.

THIS COVERS

- Cohort schedule and daily stand ups
- Test scripts and rubrics for your area
- In person demos and testing assistance

  • Sign up and test →
Following Workday Wednesdays icon

Following Workday Wednesdays?

A weekly session, starting August 12, that walks through what is coming, builds good testing habits, and answers questions in the open.

THIS COVERS

- The weekly schedule and each week's topic
- How to join, remote or in person
- Recordings and recaps after each session

  • See the schedule →
A functional owner icon

A functional owner?

Your part in R2. Name your testers, confirm their access early, and sign off when your area's processes are verified.

THIS COVERS

- Your timeline and tasks for R2
- Confirming preview tenant access
- Verification sign off for your area

  • Owner checklist →
One Place To Ask

Questions about R2? 

Go to the Workday Help Channel!

Asking there means your question reaches the right person and is tracked to an answer, rather
than getting lost in a thread. Every release question, testing question, or "is this supposed to look
different" question belongs here.

Get Help