What are the most important components of successful migration documentation?

1 Scope and objectives

The first component of migration documentation is to define the scope and objectives of the project. This means specifying what you are migrating, why you are migrating, and what you expect to achieve. For example, you may want to migrate to a new platform, improve performance, reduce costs, or comply with regulations. You should also identify the source and target environments, the migration strategy, and the success criteria. This will help you set clear expectations, align your team, and communicate with your stakeholders.

2 Inventory and assessment

The next component of migration documentation is to conduct an inventory and assessment of the current state of the system. This means collecting and analyzing information about the data, applications, and infrastructure that you are migrating. You should document the size, type, location, dependencies, and configuration of each element. You should also identify any potential issues, risks, or gaps that may affect the migration. This will help you plan the migration steps, estimate the resources and time required, and prepare for contingency scenarios.

3 Migration plan and schedule

The third component of migration documentation is to create a migration plan and schedule. This means outlining the tasks, roles, and responsibilities involved in the migration process. You should document the steps for each phase of the migration, such as preparation, testing, execution, and verification. You should also assign owners, deadlines, and dependencies for each task. You should also create a migration schedule that shows the timeline, milestones, and deliverables of the project. This will help you coordinate the migration activities, track the progress, and report the status.

4 Migration scripts and tools

The fourth component of migration documentation is to develop and document the migration scripts and tools that you will use to perform the migration. This means writing and testing the code, commands, or scripts that will automate or facilitate the migration process. You should document the purpose, functionality, and parameters of each script or tool. You should also document the prerequisites, instructions, and outputs of each script or tool. This will help you execute the migration efficiently, consistently, and accurately.

5 Migration testing and validation

The fifth component of migration documentation is to conduct and document the migration testing and validation. This means verifying that the migration has been completed successfully and that the system is functioning as expected. You should document the test cases, scenarios, and criteria that you will use to check the quality, performance, and compatibility of the migrated system. You should also document the test results, feedback, and issues that you encounter during the testing phase. This will help you identify and resolve any problems, ensure compliance, and demonstrate the value of the migration.

6 Migration training and support

The sixth component of migration documentation is to provide and document the migration training and support. This means educating and assisting the users, administrators, and stakeholders who will use or manage the migrated system. You should document the training materials, methods, and resources that you will use to teach the features, functions, and benefits of the new system. You should also document the support channels, procedures, and policies that you will use to address the questions, concerns, or issues that may arise after the migration. This will help you increase adoption, satisfaction, and retention of the migrated system.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?