Steps To A Successful Data Migration Project

Many companies have decided to streamline and migrate their financial data from the old system to a more advanced system with business intelligence and data analytics in the past two years. But, of course, #datamigration is always a challenge. Therefore, it is important to ensure the data migration process and its users are well managed.

Data Migrations can improve efficiency and bring all existing applications from a legacy system into a new one. And it is a pressing issue for many organisations as they seek to undergo ‘digital transformation’ or optimise their existing applications.

Planning and executing a system migration is a challenge, which can go wrong from technical and people perspectives.?

These are the nine (9) steps you can follow to make a successful system migration:

1. Build cross-functional representatives.

Recruit at least one key representative from each business function to involve in this project. This team will help you gain continued support for the project’s success.

2. Get the project approvals from stakeholders.

Get the department heads, the C-suite, or the board of directors involved and layout the plan. Set up the project timeframe and lay out the goals for each phase. Get stakeholders to agree upon the initial framework. It will be crucial whenever it comes under review.

3. Build a team of data analytics experts.

Find the potential #dataanalytics experts within your organisation who can involve in the data migration. Ultimately you may have to use a third-party vendor or another software for the migration, get these people in charge of streamlining and cleaning existing data. Then, depending on the size of your organisation, each member leads a smaller team to handle the project.

4. Keep track of your data.

You must ensure you do not lose any #data along the way during migration. Get your internal experts can check in on what is stored and make backups. For software or applications, please keep a record of each action, how it interfaces with its databases, what it’s compatible with and what isn’t. These unique custom configurations separate it from off-the-shelf software documentation.

5. Project timeline and costs

The project timeline determines when activities to completed, the milestones achieved, and the project completed. The budget costs determine how much the total project should cost.

Work with the finance team to work out long-term budget needs and rates of the whole project. And then, work with the IT, developers, and engineering team to figure out the technical aspects and requirements like what method of migration is appropriate, who will end up in downtime, and at what stages of the project. Finally, compile all of this timeline to figure out realistic timing and checkpoints in the migration.

6. Create a project management system for all parties.

Create a common project management hub with the data you gathered and all the teams you work with (technical, cross-functional, and stakeholder teams). It is where everyone can see the progress, send messages, attach files and findings, and have visibility of the project. Then, set up the project management software with the agreed budget and time expectations at each phase. Then, present this information to the stakeholders for final approvals before the project kick-off and submit regular reports for updates.

7. Keep track of the project in phases.

Depending on the methods used, perform the migration and document every step as it progresses. Using the project management tool can keep everyone informed and gather documentation. In addition, when some employees leave or get added to the project, you can use the project management tool to get them up to speed.

8. Test the migrated data after each phase.

Test what you’ve migrated into the new environment and document the outcomes after each phase. Regular testing will allow your team to catch problems early and regroup or change direction to keep track of the progress.

9. Report the results.

An effective project status reports are the best way to keep your stakeholders aligned and updated on your project progress.

Once the migration is complete, record the final results, and compare them to the goals set up using your project management tool. Finally, combine all documentation and deliver a final report to stakeholders. Then, begin reaping the rewards of your newer, faster, better software, operating system, cloud environment, or whatever else you migrated.

Ready for a data migration project?

Following the nine tips above, you should find your system migration a little more stress-free than it might otherwise be!

What is your experience or example?

#datamigration #projectmanagement #dataanalytics

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About Author

Jacinta Thein is a Certified Trainer and a Chartered Accountant registered with the Malaysian Institute of Accountants since 2004. She is also a Microsoft Certified Data Analyst Associate. Jacinta is currently a Managing Consultant of Chartered Accountant firm JT & CO and JTANDCOM Sdn. Bhd.?

Jacinta has more than 24 years of experience in management consulting data analytics, management reporting, accounting, and financial data analysis from multinational companies. Jacinta has worked in the retail, manufacturing, education, shared services, venture capitalist, and advertising industries.

She has in-depth knowledge in data and financial analysis, business intelligence, financial reporting, accounting, financial planning and analysis, budgeting and forecasting, cash flow management, and operating system implementation, including cloud applications for companies.