Why UKG Projects Fail (and How to Fix Them)

UKG is one of the most powerful workforce management platforms on the planet. So why do so many UKG projects end in frustration?

We’ve seen it time and time again: companies invest in UKG, kick off a big implementation… and then, twelve months later, reality hits. The platform is live—but it’s not really working like you thought.

Employees are frustrated. Managers are confused. The system is “technically” implemented… but no one’s actually using it proficiently. Sound familiar? Let’s unpack what’s really going on—and what you can do to fix it.

The Real Reasons UKG Projects Fail

1. The project is led by only the IT department.

IT is critical —but UKG is not just a tech platform, it’s a people platform. When HR, operations, finance, and frontline managers aren’t driving the design, you end up with a system that looks great on paper and falls flat in the real world.

2. There’s no clear strategy.

UKG isn’t plug-and-play. You need to know what you want to get out of it and how it ties back to your business goals. Without a detailed strategy, you’re flipping switches and hoping for the best.

3. Users aren’t trained to actually use it.

We’re not talking about just the “click here, now click there” kind of training. We’re talking about training that helps your people understand the system, own the processes, and solve real problems with it.

4. Support disappears after go-live.

Big bang launch… then crickets. That’s not how adoption works. You need hands-on support after go-live to refine, adjust, and build momentum. Otherwise, all that investment stalls.

The Fix: Do It the Authentic Way

We’ve helped clients rescue, rebuild, and relaunch UKG in ways that finally work. Here’s our approach:

1. Strategy First

We start with business goals, not just config checklists. What are you trying to achieve? Better scheduling? Lower labor costs? Improved compliance? We reverse-engineer the UKG setup from that.

2. Implementation That Makes Sense

We speak both tech and business fluently. So instead of “pushing buttons,” we build systems that align with your people, processes, and actual workflows. (And yes, we avoid overengineering it.)

3. Training That Sticks

Our partners at The MacLaren Group specialize in building training that gets real results—especially for frontline managers and HR teams who need to own the system day-to-day.

4. Post-Go-Live Support That Actually Supports

This is where our ACE service shines. We embed experts alongside your team to help them learn, troubleshoot, and improve week by week. It’s like having a UKG power user at your fingertips—without needing to hire one full-time.

It’s Not Too Late!

If your UKG project isn’t going the way you hoped, you’re not alone—and it’s not the end of the road. You don’t need to start over. You just need the right team to make it work. Let’s talk!