Data Migration Checklist

Data Migration Checklist

1. Understand Your Data

▪️ Assess Data Quality: Analyse your existing data to identify inconsistencies, duplicates, and gaps
▪️ Categorise Data: Distinguish between Master Data (critical for operations) and other types of data (transactional, historical, etc.).
▪️ Define Requirements: Understand how the data will be used post-migration and document specific business rules

2. Plan for Trials and Testing

▪️ Set Up Several Trial Runs: Perform multiple test migrations to validate processes and detect issues
▪️ Use a Replica Environment: Create a staging environment that mirrors your production system
▪️ Test for Data Integrity: Ensure data remains accurate and usable after each trial

3. Establish a Clear Data Reconciliation Process

▪️ Define Metrics: Establish clear criteria to measure success
▪️ Validate Data Post-Migration: Confirm data in the target system matches expectations.
▪️ Document Discrepancies: Track and resolve issues systematically

4. Foster Collaboration Between Teams

▪️ Engage Key Stakeholders: Include representatives from technical and business teams
▪️ Set Clear Roles and Responsibilities: Define task ownership
▪️ Facilitate Regular Communication: Hold cross-functional meetings to review progress

5. Optimise and Monitor Data Migration Flows

▪️ Track Each Flow: Monitor progress for every migration stream
▪️ Identify Bottlenecks: Pinpoint steps that are taking longer and address them
▪️ Engage a DBA to Optimise database performance
▪️ Monitor System Performance: Check that the target system operates as expected.

6. Estimate Downtime Effectively

▪️ Analyse Migration Duration: Use trial data to calculate how long each migration flow will take.
▪️ Plan for a Clean Cut: Identify the exact point for system downtime.

Minimise Business Impact: Schedule downtime during low-impact windows.

7. Strategise Around Different Data Types

▪️ Master Data: Prioritise this as it’s often critical for operational continuity and impacts downtime.
▪️ Transactional Data: Determine what needs to be migrated upfront versus post-go-live.
▪️ Historical Data: Assess whether this should be migrated upfront, post-go-live, or archived.

8. Prepare for Cutover 

▪️ Define Cutover Steps: Outline actions leading up to, during, and after the cutover.
▪️ Communicate the Plan: Ensure all teams understand their roles for the switchover.
▪️ Conduct a Dry Run: Test the entire cutover process to validate readiness.
▪️ Collect Feedback: Gather input from end-users to identify any overlooked issues.