In January, the campus will begin a new annual plan cycle and processes for annual budgeting and workforce planning. At the outset, the goal is to use a new system to better support existing budgeting practices, while gradually strengthening structure, transparency, and collaboration in the planning process. This is a new approach for the campus, and it is also new for the Budget Office.

This first budget cycle is designed as a starting point. Campus departments, control points, and central leadership will be asked to actively engage in reviewing, discussing, and understanding their budgets — how they are built, how they align to staffing and resources, and how they roll up across campus. This will be a learning process for all of us, and the focus is on shared understanding and dialogue, proactive planning and best estimates, not perfection.

We will be using Oracle Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) to support this effort. EPM is designed intentionally to organize and support our annual budget planning processes around workforce and annual budget planning. The Annual Plan will be administered via two modules within Oracle EPM:

  • The Annual Plan will proactively outline a department’s expected use of available resources for the upcoming fiscal year
  • Workforce Planning will plan funding by position for permanent and temporary employees on all non-sponsored funds, including existing salaries and expected increases

To support this transition, January will be organized into three phases:

Mid-January – Conceptual Training

We will begin with training focused on budgeting concepts and process, including:

  • How workforce planning and the annual plan fit together as a single, connected process
  • What is changing — and what is intentionally staying the same — in this first year
  • How roles differ between departments, control points, reviewers, and central offices
  • How this approach supports clearer review, discussion, and decision-making

These sessions are open to all and intended to establish a common foundation before anyone begins working in the system. Training will be held on the following dates, with registration available in early January:

  • January 20 from 10:30am-12pm
  • January 22 from 2-3:30pm

Late January – System Training

We will then move into hands-on training in Oracle EPM, including:

  • Reviewing workforce rosters, FTE, and costing
  • Understanding how position data drives salary and benefit budgets
  • Entering and reviewing Supplies & Expense (S&E) budgets in the Annual Plan
  • Navigating review, endorsement, and submission workflows

System training will only be required for users who will access EPM; please confirm with your business officer or divisional control point if you are unsure whether you will need access. Training will be held on the following dates, with registration available in early January:

  • January 27 from 3-4:30pm
  • January 28 from 10:30am-12pm

End of January – Budget Cycle Opens

By the end of January, we will formally begin the FY 2026-27 budget planning cycle which is expected to last through May:

  • Workforce planning will open first and serve as the foundation for budget development
  • Annual Plan development will follow, allowing departments to plan S&E and align resources
  • Departments and control points will submit plans through EPM for review and discussion

This cycle is intended to support more informed conversations about budgets, staffing, and resources, and to reduce reliance on disconnected spreadsheets and offline processes.

The Budget Office will provide training materials, reference guides, office hours, and reporting to support both planners and reviewers throughout this cycle. This first year is intentionally focused on learning, consistency, and transparency, with refinements and enhancements to follow in future cycles.

Additional details on training schedules and materials will be shared in the new year. Campuswide messaging and awareness about this new budgeting cycle will also occur in January. 

Thank you in advance for your engagement and partnership as we take this important step together.