What criteria can you use to determine which applications are suitable for cloud migration?

1 Application performance

One of the first criteria to consider is how well an application performs in the cloud compared to its current environment. Some applications may benefit from the cloud's elasticity, availability, and resilience, while others may face challenges such as latency, compatibility, or security issues. You can use tools such as cloud readiness assessments, benchmarks, and simulations to evaluate the performance of your applications in the cloud and identify any potential gaps or risks.

3 Application value

A third criterion to consider is the value that an application delivers to your business and your customers. Some applications are more critical or strategic than others, and they may have a higher impact on your revenue, growth, or competitive advantage. These applications may be more suitable for cloud migration, as they can benefit from the cloud's innovation, agility, and reliability capabilities. However, some applications may be less important or relevant, and they may have a lower or negative impact on your business outcomes. These applications may be less suitable for cloud migration, as they may not justify the cost, effort, or risk involved in the process.

4 Application complexity

A fourth criterion to consider is the complexity of the application and how it affects the feasibility and scope of the migration. Some applications are more complex than others, and they may involve multiple dependencies, integrations, or customizations that need to be addressed or resolved during the migration. These applications may require more planning, testing, and monitoring to ensure a successful and smooth migration. On the other hand, some applications are simpler and more standardized, and they may have fewer or no dependencies, integrations, or customizations that need to be considered or modified during the migration. These applications may require less preparation, verification, and supervision to achieve a fast and easy migration.

5 Application lifecycle

A fifth criterion to consider is the lifecycle of the application and how it aligns with your business strategy and vision. Some applications are newer or more dynamic, and they may undergo frequent changes or updates to meet the evolving needs and expectations of your customers and stakeholders. These applications may be more suitable for cloud migration, as they can take advantage of the cloud's speed, flexibility, and scalability to support continuous delivery and improvement. However, some applications are older or more stable, and they may rarely change or update to maintain the consistency and quality of your products and services. These applications may be less suitable for cloud migration, as they may not benefit from the cloud's features or capabilities, or they may face compatibility or legacy issues that may hinder the migration.

6 Application cost

A sixth and final criterion to consider is the cost of the application and how it compares to the potential savings or benefits of the cloud. Some applications are more expensive or inefficient to run and maintain in their current environment, and they may incur high capital or operational expenses, such as hardware, software, licensing, or staffing costs. These applications may be more suitable for cloud migration, as they can reduce or optimize these costs by using the cloud's pay-as-you-go, on-demand, or consumption-based pricing models. However, some applications are more cost-effective or optimal in their current environment, and they may have low or fixed costs that are already aligned with your budget and resources. These applications may be less suitable for cloud migration, as they may not generate significant savings or benefits from the cloud, or they may incur additional costs such as migration, integration, or training costs.

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?