Cloud Migration Checklist: What to Know Before You Move

Why Migrate to the Cloud?

Cloud computing offers significant benefits: reduced hardware costs, improved collaboration, better disaster recovery, and the ability to scale resources on demand. But a successful migration requires careful planning.

Before You Start

Assess Your Current Environment

What applications and data do you have?

Which are candidates for cloud migration?

What are the dependencies between systems?

Define Your Goals

What do you hope to achieve with cloud migration?

Cost savings? Better collaboration? Improved disaster recovery?

How will you measure success?

Choose the Right Cloud Model

**Public Cloud:** Services from providers like Microsoft, Google, or Amazon

**Private Cloud:** Dedicated infrastructure for your organization

**Hybrid Cloud:** Combination of public and private resources

The Migration Checklist

Planning Phase

[ ] Inventory all applications and data

[ ] Assess cloud readiness of each workload

[ ] Identify regulatory and compliance requirements

[ ] Calculate total cost of ownership

[ ] Create a timeline with milestones

[ ] Assign roles and responsibilities

Technical Preparation

[ ] Audit network bandwidth and connectivity

[ ] Plan for data migration (method, timing)

[ ] Address security requirements

[ ] Plan identity and access management

[ ] Establish backup and disaster recovery procedures

Migration Execution

[ ] Set up cloud environment and security controls

[ ] Migrate data with validation checkpoints

[ ] Test applications thoroughly

[ ] Train users on new systems

[ ] Plan for parallel operation during transition

Post-Migration

[ ] Monitor performance and costs

[ ] Optimize resource allocation

[ ] Decommission legacy systems

[ ] Document the new environment

[ ] Establish ongoing management procedures

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

**Underestimating bandwidth requirements**

**Skipping the testing phase**

**Forgetting about compliance requirements**

**Not training users adequately**

**Failing to optimize after migration**

Getting Expert Help

Cloud migration is a significant undertaking. We have helped many businesses successfully migrate to the cloud. Contact us to discuss your migration plans.