Chrometech - Professional IT Services & Solutions

Cloud migration is no longer optional for Australian businesses looking to stay competitive. With the right planning and execution, migrating to the cloud can reduce costs, improve scalability, and enhance business agility.

This comprehensive checklist will guide you through every phase of your cloud migration journey, from initial assessment to post-migration optimization.

Phase 1: Pre-Migration Assessment

1. Current State Assessment

Inventory all applications and systems - Document every application, database, and system currently in use
Assess application dependencies - Map out how applications communicate and depend on each other
Document current performance metrics - Baseline performance, availability, and resource utilization
Identify compliance requirements - Understand regulatory requirements (Privacy Act, industry standards)

2. Business Case Development

Calculate total cost of ownership (TCO) - Include infrastructure, licensing, and operational costs
Define success metrics - Establish KPIs for cost savings, performance, and business outcomes
Risk assessment - Identify potential risks and mitigation strategies
Timeline planning - Create realistic timelines with buffer for contingencies

Phase 2: Migration Strategy

3. Choose Your Migration Approach

Rehost (Lift and Shift) - Move applications as-is to cloud infrastructure
Replatform - Make minimal changes to optimize for cloud
Refactor - Redesign applications to be cloud-native
Hybrid approach - Combine strategies based on application needs

4. Security and Compliance Planning

Data classification - Categorize data by sensitivity and regulatory requirements
Security architecture design - Plan network security, access controls, and encryption
Compliance mapping - Ensure cloud solution meets all regulatory requirements
Backup and disaster recovery - Design robust backup and recovery procedures

Phase 3: Migration Execution

5. Pilot Migration

Select pilot applications - Choose low-risk, non-critical applications first
Test migration procedures - Validate your migration process and tools
Performance testing - Ensure applications perform as expected in the cloud
User acceptance testing - Confirm functionality meets business requirements

6. Production Migration

Schedule migration windows - Plan migrations during low-usage periods
Execute data migration - Transfer data using validated procedures
Application deployment - Deploy applications using tested migration processes
DNS and network updates - Redirect traffic to cloud-based systems

Phase 4: Post-Migration Optimization

7. Performance Monitoring

Implement monitoring tools - Set up comprehensive monitoring and alerting
Performance benchmarking - Compare cloud performance to pre-migration baselines
Cost optimization - Right-size resources and implement cost controls
Security validation - Confirm all security controls are functioning properly

Common Migration Pitfalls to Avoid

⚠️ Watch Out For These Common Mistakes:

Inadequate planning - Rushing into migration without proper assessment
Ignoring dependencies - Not mapping application interdependencies
Overlooking compliance - Failing to address regulatory requirements early
Insufficient testing - Skipping thorough testing phases
Poor change management - Not preparing staff for new systems and processes

Ready to Start Your Cloud Migration?

Our experienced cloud migration team has helped hundreds of Australian businesses successfully transition to the cloud. We provide end-to-end migration services, from initial assessment to post-migration support.

The Complete Cloud Migration Checklist for Australian Businesses