Planning and preparation are critical to a successful cloud migration. Before you start the migration process, you need a plan – without this, you won’t know where you’re heading or how to get there.
This cloud migration checklist outlines some of the steps you can take to prepare.
Pre-migration checklist
Cloud migration is the process of transferring data and applications from your on-site servers to a cloud provider like Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services. It sounds straightforward, but it’s not without risk, so it pays to plan thoroughly.
1. Gather a team and assign a migration manager
Start by assigning a migration manager to the project (you might also see this referred to as a migration architect).
This person will take responsibility for keeping the project on track. While the actual work will be shared among a team of specialists, the migration manager is ultimately accountable for the project’s success.
Moving to the cloud will affect the entire business, so ensure that key stakeholders are given the opportunity to provide input in the early stages when you’re conducting a needs analysis.
2. Set your migration goals
You won’t know if you’ve been successful if you don’t set yourself some goals at the start of the project. Thinking about what success looks like will help you flesh out what you need from your cloud solution.
Start with the non-negotiables, the things that are essential to your project. Consider how you will ensure compliance with the regulations and requirements that affect your industry and location.
GDPR, for example, is a piece of legislation in the UK that affects how data is stored and transferred. Migration consulting agencies, like CloudTech24, are well-versed in these regulations and can help you stay on the right side of the law.
3. Adopt a strategy (the 6 Rs)
The 6 Rs is a compilation of cloud migration strategies. Before we go any further, let’s examine them.
- Rehost: Move existing applications to the cloud without making any significant changes (sometimes referred to as ‘lift and shit’).
- Replatform: Changing some elements to suit a cloud environment while maintaining the core architecture.
- Refactor: Restructure or rewrite existing applications to fully leverage cloud-native features.
- Repurchase: Replacing certain functionalities with a third-party cloud option (also known as ‘drop and shop’).
- Retire: Decommissioning redundant or unnecessary applications and infrastructure.
- Retain: Leaving some applications as they are without migrating them to the cloud.
The ‘lift and shift’ is the most straightforward of all these strategies, but taking the easy road won’t guarantee results. Choose the strategy that’s best suited to meeting your migration goals.
4. Choose a cloud services provider (CSP)
Next in this set of cloud migration steps is choosing a cloud services provider. The big three providers (Google, Amazon, and Microsoft) use a public cloud, but you can also create your own private infrastructure.
What is the difference between a public and private cloud?
The public cloud is a shared resource managed by a third-party provider, like Google or Microsoft. It offers lower costs, unlimited resources (pay-as-you-use), and zero maintenance.
With this option, you can choose to use one provider or several (this is known as single vs multi-cloud).
The private cloud is constructed solely for the use of one organisation. Expect to pay more for this option. A private cloud is typically the first choice for organisations that require total control over their data and enhanced security.
You can also opt for a hybrid cloud option, combining the benefits of both public and private.
5. Create a roadmap
At this point, you should have a team in place with some clear goals, but how do you move forward? The next item on your pre-migration checklist should be to create a roadmap that sets out your timeline.
Having a roadmap is critical to project success.
It ensures everyone stays on track with clear milestones, and you can identify early on if it looks like you’re going to miss a deadline.
It’s also a way of sharing progress with your stakeholders and aligning them with your vision.
What happens post-migration?
Before you leap into cloud migration, consider partnering with an agency that offers cloud migration services like CloudTech24. Our specialists can support your team from start to finish, ensuring that your data remains secure and downtime is minimised.
The time it takes to migrate to the cloud is determined by several factors, including the size of the organisation, the scope of the migration, the chosen cloud platform, and the level of preparation beforehand.
It’s also worth remembering that once your business has migrated to the cloud, there is still work to be done. To get the most from your cloud package, you should continue monitoring its performance post-migration.
The importance of resource allocation
Resource allocation is one of the most important things to consider when reviewing your system post-migration. Look at what you’re using – you could be paying for resources you’re not utilising.
The cloud’s pay-as-you-use model is cost-effective, but it’s easy to let things go unchecked. To ensure your costs don’t run away with you, monitor what you’re using and ensure your applications are optimised for a cloud environment.
Read more on cloud scalability and growth opportunities from the CloudTech24 team.
Preparing for cloud migration – a final word
The steps to cloud migration seem straightforward, but too often, we see companies dive headlong into moving their data and applications without doing any preparatory work.
The pre-migration stage is crucial to the success of the whole project. Without a plan, you’re setting yourself up for failure.
Start by surrounding yourself with the best people – that goes for third parties and your team internally. Set your goals and create a roadmap that outlines how you will achieve success!
