About BEST Phase 2 (FAQs)

Through the introduction of a Software-as-a-Serve (SaaS) solution and modern technology stressing configuration over customization, the Commonwealth will be able to maximize the transformational benefits of efficiency, process improvement, risk controls, data analytics, management tools, and employee experience in our new Workday payroll and HR system. This includes opportunities to:  

• Transform business operations by reducing complexity, eliminating unnecessary administrative activities, and expanding self-service.
• Constantly improve functionality and the user experience for all users by delivering regular upgrades to a single software system.
• Strengthen and standardize system and data security with a single sign-on.
• Improve access to meaningful data for users and the public.

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Phase 2 will replace or consolidate existing systems supporting Payroll and Human Capital Management (HCM) across the Commonwealth. The new solution will include: Payroll, Time and Attendance, Performance Management, Learning Management, Talent Acquisition, Onboarding and Offboarding Management, Position Management, Personnel Administration, and Leave Management.

This includes the HR/CMS, MassCareers, MassAchieve, MassPerform, and EPRS systems. The change will enable Commonwealth agencies to migrate these functions over time to a single, integrated software platform.  

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The BEST Transformation Program is led by the Executive Sponsors: the Comptroller of the Commonwealth, the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Secretary of the Executive Office for Administration and Finance, and the Secretary of the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security.  

The Program Management Office (PMO) reports to the Executive Sponsors and is led by the Program Manager mutually appointed by the Sponsors, with support from BEST Program Functional, Technical, and Organizational Change Management Leads.  

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The Program Management Office (PMO) is a team of senior technology and business experts with a deep, broad understanding of Commonwealth business functions. The PMO provides guidance and knowledge on key decision points in the Program scope.  

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Agency participation is a critical part of the project. The project team works with agency leadership to identify Phase 2 contacts in departments and the right participants for Architect & Configure Functional and Technical sessions. For example, throughout the BPA project activities, the team engaged with over 500 individual SMEs across over 75% of Commonwealth agencies. The project team is working to ensure appropriate agency representation will continue while remaining mindful of the demands on staff time and applying established Phase 2 Governance.    

Please reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions about agency representation in Architect & Configure sessions.   

The project’s Change Management Team will support users across the Commonwealth. A wide variety of resources and approaches will be leveraged throughout the project, tailored to different audiences and project milestones. We will deliver regular, multi-channel communications to stakeholders across the Commonwealth (e.g., emails and/or videos), FAQs and knowledge articles, facilitate agency engagement and feedback gathering via a Change Agent Network, and conduct regular check-ins with agency subject matter experts and leadership.    

The current project plan expects the full deployment of all functional modules for the replacement of HR/CMS, MassCareers, and Cornerstone in the spring of 2028. At this time, it is expected that all state agencies will experience deployment at the same time and will not be phased by agency or location. 

Requirements gathering has been ongoing since the beginning of the Business Process Alignment (BPA) phase. The project team has reviewed Commonwealth, Agency, and CBA-specific documentation, as well as documented the current state processes during Day in the Life sessions in BPA. These requirements are being discussed and verified during Architect & Configure design sessions, which will include the participation of subject matter experts representing both Executive and Non-Executive Agencies. Acceptance criteria will be defined collaboratively with stakeholders before testing.  

Improved reporting and analytics capabilities are major priorities for this project. One of the key pain points raised by agencies is the current reliance on overnight data, multiple systems, and disconnected reporting tools. BEST Phase 2 aims to improve access to real-time data, reporting, dashboards, and other business intelligence capabilities across payroll and HCM functions. More information on reporting and analytics will be shared over the course of the project.