Data Migration Checklists: Complete Library for Every Migration Type
Key Takeaways
- Data migration is crucial for successful digital transformation, ensuring organisational change transitions from vision to reality through careful planning.
- Different types of data migrations, such as legacy, ERP, cloud, and database migrations, require different approaches.
- Download our comprehensive data migration checklists for each migration type.
Data migration is often overlooked as a key part of digital transformation and modernisation. But while it might not be the most inspiring, it’s the most critical. Data migrations are when organisational change turns from vision to reality.
A data migration is a complex undertaking that requires careful planning. When successful, it ensures a seamless transition between environments, so your organisation can realise the full benefits of migration.
Through the years, Interactive has facilitated several data migrations – from strategy to execution and post-migration support. Through these projects, we find one lesson always rings true: The biggest mistake you can make in a data migration is treating all data the same. Different types of data require different migration approaches. And choosing the right approach for your data is critical to its overall success.
To help you understand the different types of data migrations and their unique considerations, we’ve put together a series of data migration checklist templates.
The checklist templates cover different types of data migrations that require separate planning and execution considerations. These are: Legacy data migration, ERP data migration, cloud data migration and database migration. All checklists are aligned to Australian operating and compliance considerations.
How to use this data migration checklist library
Firstly, identify which migration type or types form part of your overall migration project – legacy data migration, ERP data migration, database migration or cloud data migration – using the guide below.
Next, access the specialised checklist for a detailed, actionable task list to help guide your data migration. Of course, most data migrations will include multiple types. So, use all checklists that apply and be sure to pay attention to each migration type’s unique considerations.
Thirdly, align the migration to our data migration framework, which offers a broadly applicable methodology to base your data migration on.
Follow these steps and your data migration will be well-placed to succeed.
Which data migration checklist do you need?
Different migration scenarios require different approaches. And they’re guided by distinct, yet complementary checklists.
Below are the approaches and when you’ll need to use them.
Cloud data migration checklist
Migration to a new cloud platform.
This checklist covers:
- On-premises to cloud migrations.
- Cloud to cloud migrations, such as moving data from public cloud environments to private cloud.
- Hybrid cloud data strategies.
- Data sovereignty considerations, including Australian region selection and the handling of regulated workloads.
- File and storage migrations, such as OneDrive and Google Drive.
- Platform-native tools like AWS DataSync and Azure Database Migration Service, which support secure, low-risk data movement with minimal disruption.
This checklist is primarily designed for infrastructure teams, cloud architects and IT managers planning cloud adoption or migration initiatives.
Key considerations you’ll need to make for a cloud data migration include:
- Data residency and sovereignty requirements
- Bandwidth requirements
- Cloud provider and regional service selection
- Australian regulatory compliance
Get the full cloud data migration checklist.
Database migration checklist
Database platform changes (e.g. SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL).
What it covers:
- Schema migration and data type mapping.
- Stored procedure and trigger conversion.
- Zero-downtime migration strategies.
- Performance optimisation and testing.
- Database-specific validation procedures.
This checklist is primarily designed for: Database administrators, data engineers and DevOps teams.
Key considerations you’ll need to make for a database migration include:
- Schema complexity and dependency mapping.
- Stored procedure and trigger compatibility.
- Performance baseline comparison pre- and post-migration.
- Minimal downtime and rollback requirements.
Get the full database migration checklist.
ERP data migration checklist
Data migrations to a new ERP platform, such as SAP, Oracle EBS, Microsoft Dynamics, NetSuite.
What it covers:
- Master data migration, including customer, vendor and product records.
- Business process continuity planning during migration.
- ERP-specific testing and data validation.
- Integration point identification and management.
- Go-live planning and cutover coordination.
This checklist is primarily designed for: ERP program managers, solution architects, data leads and technology leaders responsible for planning and delivering ERP data migrations.
Key considerations:
- Business process complexity and end-to-end impact.
- Master data quality and cleansing requirements.
- Integration dependencies across systems.
- User acceptance testing and change readiness.
Get the full ERP data migration checklist.
Legacy system data migration checklist
Moving data from a legacy system, where outdated software or poor documentation adds additional layers of complexity.
What it covers:
- Legacy database and mainframe data extraction.
- Reverse engineering undocumented or poorly documented systems.
- Data quality assessment and cleansing.
- Historical data migration and archival decision-making.
- Obsolete technology and tooling constraints.
- Decommissioning and system shutdown planning.
This checklist is primarily designed for: Modernisation project teams, system architects, project managers, data engineers, architects and technology leaders responsible for planning and delivering legacy data migrations.
Key considerations:
- Poor or missing system documentation.
- Inconsistent or low-quality data.
- Obsolete or unsupported technologies.
- Deciding between migration and archival for certain data and the trade-offs of each.
Get the full legacy data migration checklist.
Universal data migration checklist
Regardless of the type or types of migration you’re doing, there are a number of tasks that are essential to every data migration project.
These are:
Critical planning tasks:
Document what’s migrating, what isn’t and what a successful migration looks like.
Identify all data sources, volumes and dependencies.
There’s no point moving data that isn’t useful. Filter your data for errors, duplicates and inconsistencies.
These include the Australian Privacy Principles and relevant industry regulations (APRA, SOCI). These regulatory requirements may impact how you must migrate your data (e.g. needing to maintain uptime throughout the migration or ensure data never leaves Australia).
This should be a realistic schedule that provides direction and guides you through the migration. Your timeline should include a buffer for testing and validation.
Establish clear triggers and decision points, from which you can safely abort or roll back the migration if needed.
Critical validation tasks
Verify that the source and target data are an exact match.
Confirm that no data has been lost or corrupted during the migration.
Ensure these processes function correctly end-to-end.
Get formal approval from the relevant business leaders to move ahead with the migration at key points.
Ensure network diagrams, configurations and runbooks reflect the new environment.
These insights will inform future migrations.
The importance of local support
For Australian data migrations, having a local team on hand ensures no data leaves the country, supporting compliance with industry regulations.
Download all templates
Download the full suite of templates here:
Get the full cloud data migration checklist
Get the full database migration checklist
Get the full ERP data migration checklist
Get the full legacy data migration checklist
We will make regular updates to these checklists as migration best practices evolve.
Planning a complex data migration?
Interactive’s data migration services provide Australian enterprises with certified professionals, proven methodologies and 24/7 local support.
