Cloud migrations that succeed have one thing in common: the organizations involved prepared thoroughly before anything moved. Migrations that struggle almost always trace the problems back to preparation gaps rather than technical failures. Here is what to address before you start.
Understand Where You Are Going
Familiarize yourself with the destination platform before the migration begins. Review documentation, best practice guides, and migration checklists from the service provider. If you are working with a cloud partner, lean on their expertise here. Knowing what the environment will look like on the other side makes every subsequent decision easier.
Prepare Your Users
User adoption is the most common reason migrations underdeliver. Technical configuration can be perfect and adoption can still fail. Steps that improve adoption:
- Communicate the reasons for the change early and explain the benefits clearly
- Involve users in identifying their own pain points and desired improvements
- Build excitement and reduce anxiety by keeping people informed throughout the process
Inventory Your Data
Know what you are migrating before you migrate it:
- Review all data types including files, SharePoint content, databases, and user drives
- Determine what needs to migrate versus what should be archived or deleted
- Organize content into manageable directory structures by function such as HR, Finance, or Operations
Map Your Applications
Create an inventory of current applications and identify their cloud equivalents. Evaluate what your organization needs in the areas of security, office applications, backup, messaging, conferencing, phone systems, and business intelligence. Determine which users need access to which services.
Assess Your Internet Connectivity
Cloud migration significantly increases internet traffic. A service plan of 300 Mbps or better is recommended. Test speeds from both office and home locations using both wired and wireless connections. Wi-Fi speeds typically measure about one-third of hardwired speeds. If your current internet service cannot support cloud workloads, upgrading before the migration is essential.
Evaluate Your Devices
Older devices may lack the processing power, RAM, or operating system support to run cloud services effectively. Inventory all user workstations including device age and current operating system. Plan to replace devices that cannot be upgraded to a supported OS before the migration.
Plan for Legacy Line-of-Business Applications
Mission-critical legacy software that cannot move to the cloud requires a strategy. Evaluate whether a SaaS replacement exists, whether the application can be hosted in a cloud environment, or whether an on-premises server will need to remain for that specific workload.
Understand Your Licensing Requirements
Different users need different license types based on their roles. Create a matrix of who needs what before purchasing licenses. Check nonprofit eligibility if applicable, and take advantage of trial periods to evaluate features before committing.
Address Security Before You Migrate
Cloud environments have distinct security considerations. Review your security requirements and ensure your migration plan includes appropriate configurations for identity management, device compliance, and data protection from day one.