As a recent addition to Oracle’s team as a Director of PeopleSoft Financial Product Strategy, I find myself reflecting on my journey. Before joining Oracle, I was a long-time customer, consultant, and dedicated leader within the PeopleSoft user community. Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about improving the software I’ve always cared so much about. However, one question I often asked myself was, “Is anyone at Oracle really listening to our feedback?”
In the past, it felt like the only way to truly get Oracle’s ear was by being part of select groups like the Customer Advisory Board (CAB), which could be frustrating for those not included. But things have changed over the years. Oracle has provided several platforms where customers can directly share their ideas and thoughts to help shape PeopleSoft’s future. So, are you truly being heard now?
The Ideas Lab: A Platform for Change
One key initiative Oracle introduced is the Ideas Lab. If you’re not familiar with it, the Ideas Lab is a platform where customers can submit enhancement ideas and vote on suggestions made by others. This process not only lets customers express their priorities but also helps influence the direction of the product.
As I began attending PeopleSoft Strategy meetings, I was astounded by how much time and effort Oracle dedicates to reviewing feedback gathered through the Ideas Lab. The Strategy team continuously reviews the ideas throughout the release planning process, carefully considering the original suggestions and comments from other organizations. For instance, there have been over 200 new ideas posted for FSCM in the past 18 months, and in the last two images, 50 of the 115 FSCM enhancements were directly influenced by the Ideas Lab. You can check out the new enhancements in the Cumulative Feature Overview (CFO) tool and on each Idea.
I was thrilled to discover that, as a customer, I had submitted 26 ideas and voted on at least 100 others. Six of my ideas have already been delivered, and another six are currently under review for future releases—one of which I am helping to design now!
Focus Groups: Driving Deeper Engagement
In addition to the Ideas Lab, Oracle also began hosting Focus Groups, which have proven to be game-changers. These groups allow customers to engage in open, in-depth conversations with strategists and developers about upcoming features. These discussions provide invaluable insight into your needs and help ensure that PeopleSoft continues to evolve in ways that matter to its users.
I was fortunate to participate in several Focus Groups as a customer. Through these sessions, I gained a deeper understanding of the level of collaboration happening behind the scenes. Oracle’s commitment to listening and adapting based on customer feedback became even more evident to me.
The Impact of Feedback
What’s even more impressive is how integral the Ideas Lab and Focus Groups have become in shaping new releases. As I reviewed past few releases, I realized that at least 40% of the enhancements in each release were directly driven by ideas submitted through the Ideas Lab. Your feedback is not just heard — it is acted upon.
One thing I didn’t fully grasp before joining Oracle was the enormous effort involved in turning an idea into reality. The process is complex and requires careful evaluation of which enhancements have the most support from the community. Then, there’s the additional work of gathering more detailed feedback, followed by design, development, testing, and documentation. We’re already reviewing features for the next three releases. That’s an entire year’s worth of releases! It’s a lengthy process, but it is one that ensures we get it right.
How You Can Make a Difference
If you haven’t already, I strongly encourage you to submit your enhancement ideas to the Ideas Lab and vote for others that could benefit your organization. When voting, please don’t just click to vote up — leave a comment with specific use cases. This additional context is critical because it helps us understand how each idea could make a difference in your unique environment. Your use cases directly influence the final design, ensuring it meets your needs.
If you want to take an even more active role, consider reaching out to the Strategy Team about joining one of the Focus Groups. This is your opportunity to directly shape the future of PeopleSoft, and your feedback is invaluable in making sure the product continues to evolve in ways that best serve your organization.
We’re Listening
At the end of the day, PeopleSoft’s success depends on the collaboration between Oracle and its customers. PeopleSoft has a feature-rich roadmap, and many of the planned features and enhancements are directly influenced by your ideas. We are focused on ensuring that we meet the needs of our diverse and global customer base across many industries. We are listening, and together, we’ll make PeopleSoft the best system it can be.
Click here to find out more information on Focus Groups and how you can get involved.
For more information on the Ideas Lab, check out these past blog posts:
Unlock your potential: Contribute your genius to our PeopleSoft Ideas Lab
Share your “Innovative Ideas” via the PeopleSoft Ideas Lab and partner with us to build better PeopleSoft Products.