Sopra Steria is a leading European consulting and technology company, known for its expertise in digital transformation, innovation, and sustainability. In Scandinavia, Sopra Steria stands out as a top consulting firm, supporting both public and private sector organizations in taking digital leadership.
With more than 3,800 employees across over 15 offices in major Scandinavian cities, the company generated revenues of over NOK 5.9 billion in 2024.
Committed to ongoing improvement, Sopra Steria Scandinavia sought to evolve its HR operations to better support its diverse workforce and organizational ambitions.
Overcoming Complexity with Smarter HR Processes
Before adopting Workday, Sopra Steria’s entities in Scandinavia struggled with inefficient HR workflows. Onboarding alone required about ten emails across multiple departments, creating delays and a subpar new hire experience. “We had several emails sent from different people in the company just regarding onboarding. Now, it’s reduced to just one email being sent.” said Ingvild Bjerke Fosse, Manager HR Tech.
Managing employee data changes also involved complex approvals between HR, finance, and other teams, increasing administrative burden. To solve this, they implemented Workday to unify HR processes on a single platform and improve data accuracy.
This optimization generated less manual work and a better experience with 94% of new hires reporting being happy or very happy with the onboarding process.
And it doesn’t stop there. This transformation goes beyond welcoming new hires. By streamlining HR and empowering employees with more control over their data, Sopra Steria fosters a more efficient workplace.
Reducing administrative friction helps keep employees focused on impactful work, boosting engagement and retention in a competitive market.
“We try to make everyday tasks easier by removing manual work. That gives employees more time to do their actual jobs. This is key to retaining talent, and Workday is of great help with that.”
Manager HR Tech, Sopra Steria, Scandinavia
Empowering Employees and Managers Through Self-Service
Another big improvement at Sopra Steria’s Scandinavian entities was the implementation of self-service capabilities. Previously, even minor changes to employee data, such as job titles or reporting lines, had to be routed through the HR team, who then manually relayed updates to finance, payroll, and other departments. “If someone was on holiday, workflows could stall for days,” recalled Fosse. “And sometimes things just got lost in email chains.”
To resolve these challenges, integrated workflows now allow users to initiate changes themselves, and that goes from updating team structures to triggering onboarding tasks, all within the same system.
“Managers just go into the system, make the change, and it’s approved by all the correct people,” Fosse explained. “Then it’s updated in the system automatically.”
The results have been significant: “Almost 35% of the tasks are started or done by managers or employees themselves,” Fosse noted. “And the rest runs automatically via integrations, meaning zero transactions are started by the HR team.”
“Before, workflows could stall for days or get lost in email chains. Now, managers and employees handle around 35% of tasks themselves, and the rest run automatically.”
Manager HR Tech, Sopra Steria, Scandinavia
Real-Time Insights Empower an Inclusive Workplace
At Sopra Steria, data analytics and technology are core to driving both smarter decisions and a more inclusive culture. Real-time dashboards give managers, recruiters, and finance instant access to workforce insights, improving transparency and agility. “The biggest win with the data in Workday is that it’s always live. Even if someone spots an error, they can update the system and poof, the data is live and correct again,” said Fosse.
This always-on data also plays a critical role in advancing inclusion. By providing clear visibility into diversity metrics and pay equity, Sopra Steria can identify gaps and target areas for improvement. Without accurate data, closing these gaps would be very challenging.
Inclusion goes beyond numbers, too. Simple features like allowing employees to specify preferred pronouns and gender show the company’s commitment to respect and belonging. “It seems like a simple change, but it’s a big thing for our employees,” Fosse noted. These personalized touches reinforce that the data-driven approach is also deeply human.
By combining real-time analytics with thoughtful, inclusive features, Sopra Steria creates a workplace that is both efficient and welcoming - one where employees feel valued and empowered.
“The biggest win with Workday is that data is always live and instantly accessible. When needed, updates happen in real time, ensuring information is always current and reliable.”
Manager HR Tech, Sopra Steria, Scandinavia
Looking Ahead: Using AI to Transform Work
Sopra Steria sees great potential in AI to enhance the employee experience and reshape HR’s role. “AI is going to help us attract the best people if we know how to use it well,” said Fosse. “It will free us from boring tasks so we can focus on real work.”
The organization envisions a future where AI not only automates routine tasks but also delivers personalized learning experiences tailored to individual goals and career paths. This could accelerate development and build a more resilient, future-ready workforce. “Readiness for change,” Fosse noted, “will be the most important skill in an AI-driven workplace.”
This shift will not only enhance efficiency but also position HR as a vital driver of employee satisfaction and organizational growth in an increasingly digital workplace.