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Ultimate 19-Step Application Migration Checklist

Read Time: 7 minutes

What Is an Application Migration Checklist? 

An application migration checklist is a set of steps and considerations that guide the process of moving an application from one environment to another. This could involve transitioning from on-premises to cloud platforms, between cloud services, or upgrading to newer infrastructure. 

The checklist ensures that all critical aspects are covered, including planning, technical assessments, migration strategies, testing, deployment, and post-migration activities. The purpose of the checklist is to minimize risks associated with migration, such as downtime, data loss, or performance issues. 

It serves as a roadmap for IT teams to systematically approach migration projects by identifying potential challenges early on and allocating resources efficiently. This structured approach helps in maintaining the integrity and availability of applications throughout the migration process.

This is part of a series of articles about VMware Migration.

Why Do You Need an Application Migration Checklist?

Using an application migration checklist brings clarity and structure to the migration process, ensuring that no critical step is overlooked. It helps prevent common pitfalls such as data corruption, security breaches, and unexpected downtime. By having a predefined set of tasks, teams can execute migration systematically, reducing the likelihood of errors.

This checklist also promotes better communication and coordination among team members. It provides a shared understanding of the project’s scope and status, making it easier to track progress and address issues. Beyond the immediate migration project, it sets a precedent for future migrations, allowing organizations to refine their approach based on past experiences.

The Ultimate Application Migration Checklist

Preparation and Planning

1. Audit Existing Applications 

Pre-Migration Application Mapping with Faddom

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Before migrating an application, conduct a thorough audit of existing applications. This involves cataloging all software currently in use, understanding its functionality, dependencies, and the hardware it runs on. Identify which applications are critical to business operations and which may be outdated or underutilized.

This step also requires assessing the compatibility of applications with potential target environments. Not all applications will be suited for cloud platforms without modifications. Some may require updates or re-architecture to function optimally in a new environment. 

2. Select Migration Strategy 

This decision is influenced by factors such as the complexity of the application, its dependencies, and the desired outcomes of the migration. Common strategies include rehosting (lift and shift), replatforming, refactoring/re-architecting, and repurchasing as a SaaS solution. 

Rehosting is often chosen for applications that require minimal changes to run in a new environment, offering a quick and cost-effective migration path. Replatforming involves making some adjustments to optimize applications for cloud environments without a complete overhaul. 

Refactoring or re-architecting is more resource-intensive but allows organizations to fully leverage cloud-native features for enhanced scalability and performance. Repurchasing shifts the responsibility for managing applications to vendors, simplifying maintenance but potentially leading to vendor lock-in.

3. Assess and Select Tools 

The chosen tools should support the specific migration strategy and be compatible with both the source and target environments. Tools to consider include discovery and assessment tools that provide insights into application dependencies and performance characteristics, migration tools that automate the transfer of applications and data, and monitoring tools that ensure the applications perform as expected in their new environment.

When assessing potential tools, consider factors such as ease of use, integration capabilities with existing systems, support for automation, scalability to handle large-scale migrations, and security features to protect data during the migration process. Look for tools that offer comprehensive reporting functionalities to track progress and identify issues promptly. 

Learn more in our detailed guide to application migration tools

Technical Assessment

4. Infrastructure Analysis

Evaluate the current hardware, network setups, storage systems, and computing resources to determine their compatibility with the target environment. Examine factors such as scalability, performance capabilities, security measures, and compliance requirements.

Understanding the infrastructure can help identify potential challenges during migration, such as bandwidth limitations or data sovereignty issues. It also highlights opportunities for optimization and cost savings by leveraging cloud technologies. 

5. Performance Baselines

Establish performance baselines prior to migration to measure the impact of moving applications to the new environment. This involves collecting data on current application performance metrics, including response times, throughput rates, and resource utilization levels. 

These benchmarks provide a reference point for comparing pre-migration and post-migration performance, enabling teams to identify any degradation or improvement in application behavior. Monitoring these metrics continuously throughout the migration process allows for immediate detection of issues that could affect user experience or operational efficiency. 

6. Compatibility Checks 

Analyze the compatibility of the application’s software, middleware, and database against the target platform’s specifications. Issues such as differences in operating systems, database engines, or programming languages need to be identified and addressed.

Consider network configurations and security protocols present in the target environment to ensure they align with the migrated applications’ requirements. This proactive approach helps mitigate risks related to application failures or performance issues post-migration.

7. Application Dependency Mapping

Identifying and documenting all dependencies is crucial for a successful migration. Start by mapping out the relationships between applications, databases, middleware, and other system components. This involves understanding how data flows between these elements, as well as how they interact with external systems and services.

Use tools that can automatically discover and map dependencies to ensure accuracy and completeness. This information helps in planning the sequence of migration steps, as certain applications may need to be moved together or in a specific order to maintain functionality. 

Learn how Faddom can quickly perform dependency mapping for your migration

Application and Data Migration

8. Data Migration Planning 

Strategize how to move existing data to the new environment without loss or corruption. Start with identifying which data needs to be migrated, its volume, and sensitivity. Planning must encompass methods for data extraction, cleansing, transformation, and loading (ETL) processes tailored to meet the specific requirements of the target environment.

A detailed plan should also include considerations for maintaining data integrity and security during the transfer. This might involve encryption of data in transit and at rest, as well as implementing robust access controls. Establish a rollback plan in case the migration encounters unforeseen issues. 

9. Application Configuration 

Adjust the application settings and parameters to ensure optimal performance in the new environment. This step addresses compatibility issues that might arise due to differences between the original and target platforms. 

Configuration tasks may include updating connection strings, modifying security settings, and tuning performance parameters based on the capabilities of the new infrastructure. Use automation tools to deploy configurations, track changes through version control systems, and document all configurations for future reference. 

10. Testing 

Test the applications to ensure they function correctly in their new environment. This involves conducting a series of tests, including unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and user acceptance testing (UAT). 

Unit tests check individual components for correct operation, while integration tests ensure that these components interact properly. System testing evaluates the application’s overall behavior under various conditions. UAT allows end-users to validate the application’s functionality and usability before it goes live. 

Deployment

11. Deployment Strategy

Decide how and when the migrated applications will be moved to production in the new environment. Options include a big bang approach, where all components are deployed simultaneously, or a phased approach, which involves gradual deployment in stages.

A phased approach minimizes risk by allowing for more focused testing and troubleshooting of individual components before full-scale deployment. It also offers the flexibility to adjust the migration process based on feedback from early stages. A big bang approach might be suitable for smaller or less complex migrations where downtime is manageable. 

12. Change Management

Change management involves planning, oversight, and communication to manage the human, process, and technology changes. It minimizes disruption to business operations and enhances user adoption of the migrated applications.

Build a comprehensive communication plan that keeps all stakeholders informed about the migration’s progress, potential impacts, and benefits. This includes training programs for users to familiarize them with new features or interfaces introduced during the migration. Establish a feedback loop to address concerns and challenges experienced by users post-migration.

13. Monitoring Setup 

Implement tools and processes to continuously track application health, resource utilization, and user experience metrics. Effective monitoring provides real-time insights into how applications are performing, enabling quick identification and resolution of any issues that may arise post-migration.

Configure alerts for critical events or performance thresholds being breached to enable proactive management of potential problems. Integrate monitoring tools with existing incident management systems to streamline issue resolution processes. 

Post-Migration

14. Validation 

Verify that data has been accurately transferred, applications are fully functional, and all integrations with other systems work as expected. Conduct thorough testing against previously established benchmarks to confirm that the migration has not adversely affected application performance or user experience.

Additionally, check compliance with relevant regulations and internal policies to ensure that the migration aligns with legal and corporate standards. Any discrepancies or issues identified during this phase should be promptly addressed to prevent operational disruptions. 

15. Optimization 

Analyze the migrated applications’ usage patterns, resource consumption, and performance metrics to identify areas for improvement. Use optimization techniques such as auto-scaling, resource right-sizing, and adopting managed services.

Continuously refine the cloud infrastructure configurations and update the application architectures to leverage cloud-native features fully. 

16. Documentation and Training 

After migration, documentation should be revised to reflect changes in the system architecture, configuration settings, and operational procedures. This provides IT staff with accurate information for troubleshooting and future development efforts.

Conduct training programs tailored to different user groups, helping them maximize the benefits of the migrated applications. These sessions should cover new features, changes in workflows, and best practices for using the cloud-based resources efficiently. 

Review and Continuous Improvement

17. Performance Monitoring 

Performance monitoring involves the continuous assessment of application performance against established benchmarks, ensuring that deviations are promptly identified and addressed. Monitor metrics such as response times, throughput, error rates, and system resource utilization.

Implement a comprehensive monitoring strategy to enable the detection of potential issues before they impact users. This ongoing process also provides insights for further optimization.

18. Cost Management 

Post-migration, cost management focuses on continuously monitoring cloud resource usage to avoid unnecessary expenditures. Use techniques such as auto-scaling services to match demand, identifying underutilized resources for downsizing, and selecting appropriate pricing models for cloud services. 

19. Feedback Loop 

Establish a feedback loop by systematically collecting, analyzing, and acting on feedback from users and IT teams about the migrated applications. This helps identify issues that may not have been apparent during testing, uncover opportunities for further optimization, and ensure that the applications meet evolving business needs.

Incorporate tools for automated feedback collection and monitoring user interactions. Regularly review this feedback to make informed decisions about necessary adjustments or enhancements. 

Conclusion

Successfully migrating applications is a complex but achievable task when approached systematically using a comprehensive checklist. The steps outlined in this checklist guide IT teams through the entire migration process, from initial planning and technical assessment to deployment and post-migration optimization. 

By adhering to this structured approach, organizations can minimize risks, ensure seamless transitions, and fully leverage the benefits of their new environments. Continuous monitoring and feedback loops further enhance the process, enabling ongoing improvements and ensuring that the applications meet business requirements effectively.

Learn more about Faddom for application migration or start a free trial by filling out the form in the sidebar!

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