The Complete Data Migration Checklist: Simplifying Lift-and-Shift Transitions

Imagine you’ve just decided to take a road trip across the United States and you need to leave tomorrow. You might be the excitable type who hits the road packing nothing but a toothbrush, a bag of chips, a laptop, and a USB charger. Or maybe you’re on the other end of the spectrum, panicking over what you need while combating analysis paralysis. No matter where you fall on the preparedness scale, we’re here to bring you closer to the middle so you can still have a great time without overthinking, underpacking, or getting lost.

Except instead of a road trip, you’re doing a data migration. And instead of going across the US, you’re going from an on-prem data center to a more modern, cloud-based architecture. And instead of having fun, you’re reaching a major milestone for your résumé. (You can still have fun, though.)

Let’s break down how a data migration checklist can transform a daunting process into something (almost) enjoyable. From creating a plan to testing for success, we’ve got the tools you need to migrate like a pro. Let’s get to work! 

Skip the drama with “lift-and-shift" migrations 

To take control and make your migration manageable, we highly recommend using a lift-and-shift migration approach. It lets you move your data and workflows to new platforms with greater ease and no unnecessary complexity. 

The idea is simple: replicate your current setup in a new platform with minimal changes (that’s the most important part). Keep your structures, naming conventions, and workflows intact, and get your team up and running without throwing them into the chaos of ingesting data from a brand new system. Ideally, downstream data consumers should only have to change a hostname, IP address, username, and/or password. No API changes, no code refactors — just a quick and easy config update.

Businesses are drawn to this approach because they can modernize without the risk of endless delays and technical debt. They can stick with what’s already working, and once the dust settles, optimize when resources (and patience) are back on the table.

Here’s why lift-and-shift works: 

• Minimal disruptions: Keep your processes humming along so users won’t even notice the transition. Downstream consumers stay focused on their work without getting sidetracked by migration headaches.
• Familiar processes: Retain the systems your team already knows, avoiding the dreaded "Where do I find the…?" chaos. Think of it like upgrading from an iPhone 13 to a 16 instead of switching to Android.
• Faster deployment: Forget endless meetings about rearchitecting — the goal here is to get the migration done. Replicate what already works so you save time and hit the ground running.

Rearchitecting might sound fun or fancy (who doesn’t love a greenfield project?), but it’s usually a slippery slope leading to delays and endless debates. There are countless stories of months-long waits on database migration refactors and rearchitectures. Lift-and-shift gets you where you need to be — fast and drama-free.

Don’t wing it. Use a data migration checklist.

Lift-and-shift migrations sound simple — just pack up your data, move it, and you’re ready to roll, right? Unfortunately, no. Without a solid plan, things can get messy fast with unexpected delays, forgotten dependencies, and costly mistakes that make your team question their career choices. But, a data migration checklist transforms a daunting process into a manageable one by keeping you organized, reducing errors, and ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.

• Reduces risk: Catch issues like data drift or system mismatches before they explode into full-blown crises. 
• Speed things up: Keep your project on track with clear steps so your team can work efficiently without wasting time on unnecessary rework.‍
• Build trust: Keep stakeholders happy and your data squeaky clean. Reliable results show your team knows what they’re doing, fostering confidence across the board.

Our 5-step checklist for a successful lift-and-shift data migration

With our checklist, even the trickiest lift-and-shift data migration feels like a manageable, step-by-step process. Without our checklist, it feels like juggling flaming swords while walking a tightrope. Unless you’re an adrenaline junkie, you know what to do.

Let’s dive into the first phase: planning.

1. Plan it right: Know what you’re moving before you start

Before you do anything substantive, you need a concrete list of everything you’re moving, an understanding of why you’re moving it, who’s affected by the move, and how you’ll prove that it all worked out. Here’s what that looks like: 

• Inventory your data: Catalog all databases, schemas, and tables so you know exactly what you’re working with. A clear inventory prevents surprises that could derail progress.
• Define scope and objectives: Clarify what you need to migrate, why it matters, and how it aligns with business goals. This step is your north star, ensuring every decision serves a larger purpose.
• Identify stakeholders: Assemble your A-team, assign clear responsibilities, and keep everyone on the same page. Communication isn’t just important — it’s everything.
• Validate your setup: Confirm your legacy database and new database configurations and pinpoint potential compatibility issues. Think of this step as a dress rehearsal to catch glitches before the big show.

The more stakeholders you get on board at this stage, the greater your chances of success. Make sure you have a solid definition of done for your most important downstream data consumers. Set them up for success and earn their good will so they want to contribute to the project’s success.

2. Prep like a pro: Readying your data for migration  

With a plan in place, you’re ready to do the preliminary work of the migration itself. This step is a validation of the planning step, making sure that the environment you expect is the environment you’re moving into. Do the following before you actually begin your data transfer:

• Review and clean up data: Make sure your data is consistent and accurate to avoid surprises such as schema mismatches, invalid data formats, or duplicate records during migration.
• Set up a target environment: Configure your new environment to handle adequate storage, compute, and network resources and make sure database schemas, tables, and indexes align with the source. Next, establish secure connections, authentication protocols, and optimize settings such as batch size and parallel processing for efficient data transfer. Finally, conduct thorough testing to validate readiness.
• Define security roles and permissions: Lock down who can access what. Protect sensitive data from day one by assigning roles and permissions carefully. It’s best to start with a zero-trust model. If there’s a time to re-think existing permissions and audit access to existing systems, now is the time.
• Automate syntax translation: Tools like Datafold’s Data Migration Agent (DMA) save you from the headache of manual translation. They quickly convert legacy code syntax into the target platform’s language, letting you focus on the big picture. Think of it as having a SQL babelfish in your migration toolkit.
• Futureproofing: Plan your new setup with room to grow, so it can handle future data needs without issue. Select tools that stay flexible, making it easier to adapt to new tech and avoid headaches during upgrades. Keep detailed notes on your migration process — it’ll save you time and effort when future migrations come up.

In reality, you can’t be too careful with these first two phases of the checklist. The more prep-work you do, the greater your chances for success when you actually migrate your data. Remember, a successful migration is much more than "we copied all the data from point A to point B and got no major errors." It needs to be functional, secure, performant, and future-proof.

Also, it can’t hurt to get one more round of approvals from the migration stakeholders. A pre-migration sanity check could save you from a future headache.

3. Execute a flawless data transfer

You’ve laid the groundwork and now it’s time to make the magic happen. Let’s populate the heck out of your shiny new data platform. Here’s how to keep things running smoothly:

• Execute a pilot migration: Think of this as your dress rehearsal. Start small with a test migration so you can pinpoint potential issues. A proactive approach will minimize surprises and build confidence for the full-scale transfer.
• Perform the full-scale migration: After a successful pilot, carry out the actual migration with precision. Follow the steps established in your plan, monitor the process in real time, and be ready to address any unexpected issues promptly.
• Use the right tools for the job: Don’t leave your migration’s success to chance (or spreadsheets). Advanced tools like Datafold’s DMA streamline the process, cutting down on manual labor and drastically reducing the risk of human error.
• Validate data parity like a hawk: Once the data’s moved, it’s time to validate it. Run rigorous checks to confirm that everything in the target environment mirrors the source. Make sure there are no missing rows, no misaligned columns — just data that’s intact and ready for action.

Give yourself a high five cause you just performed a data migration. NICE. And hopefully everything went according to plan! Seriously, this is a major accomplishment. You’ve earned a treat, and now it’s time to test.

4. Validate your migration with rigorous testing

Validation is where the rubber meets the road in a data migration. You’ve moved your data, but now you need to make sure it performs like it should and stays secure. Here’s how to put your migration to the ultimate test: 

• Test business logic and query performance: Make sure all queries are running like a well-oiled machine on your downstream target platforms. If something doesn’t add up, address it before users start hitting roadblocks. Prove the system can handle real-world scenarios without a hitch.
• Validate app functionality: Connected apps need to play nice with the new database. Run every critical function and double-check that there’s no disruption in your ingestion pipelines.
• Conduct a security audit: Permissions, access policies, and data safeguards need to be airtight. Review and adjust to protect sensitive information. It’s not just about compliance — it’s about keeping your data safe from both mistakes and malicious intent.

Thoroughly testing to catch and fix any lingering issues before going live in prod, ensuring everything runs like clockwork. Once you’ve got everything up and running, you can start tweaking and tuning.

5. Turning good into great: Optimizing your new environment 

You’ve migrated your data — great! But don’t pop the champagne just yet. The next step is to fine-tune and optimize your new system so you’re not leaving performance on the table. Here’s how to take your environment from functional to fantastic:

• Fine-tune for peak performance: Adjust workflows by streamlining data pipelines, optimize indexes to reduce query times, and configure your environment by allocating additional resources to critical processes for maximum efficiency. For example, you might reorganize your most frequently queried tables into clusters, create new indexes to speed up search performance, or adjust resource allocation to handle higher traffic volumes without slowing down. 
• Set up rock-solid governance: Establish policies and monitoring systems to maintain data quality, tighten security, and make sure your infrastructure grows without causing governance or compliance issues. You don’t just want a system that works now; you want one that’s ready for whatever’s next.
• Secure long-term success: Plan for the future with an infrastructure that adapts to your goals. Continuously monitor your environment to stay one step ahead of your evolving business.‍
• Buy yourself something nice: You’ve done the hard work. You deserve at least a bag of M&Ms or something.

Taking these steps sets up your data environment to thrive. Optimizing now paves the way for seamless management, scalable growth, and the kind of results that make your team look like industry experts.

Lift-and-Shift Data Migration Checklist

1. Plan your migration

❏ Catalog all databases, schemas, and tables.

❏ Define migration scope and objectives.

❏ Identify stakeholders and assign clear responsibilities.

❏ Validate source setup for potential compatibility issues.

2. Prepare your data and environment

❏ Clean up data (e.g., fix invalid formats, remove duplicates).

❏ Configure target environment: storage, compute, and schema alignment.

❏ Establish secure connections and authentication protocols.

❏ Assign roles and permissions based on zero-trust principles.

❏ Automate syntax translation for compatibility.

❏ Document processes and plan for scalability.

3. Execute the migration

❏ Perform a pilot migration to test workflows.

❏ Perform the full-scale migration.

❏ Use reliable migration tools (e.g., Datafold’s DMA).

❏ Validate data parity to ensure accuracy post-migration.

4. Validate with testing

❏ Test business logic and query performance.

❏ Validate functionality of connected applications and pipelines.

❏ Conduct a security audit to ensure airtight permissions.

5. Optimize your environment

❏ Fine-tune workflows, indexes, and resource allocations.

❏ Implement governance policies for data quality and compliance.

❏ Set up monitoring systems for future scalability.

Use Datafold with a checklist, make all your dreams come true 

Migrations don’t have to feel like running a marathon in quicksand. Datafold makes the process refreshingly manageable, cutting out the chaos with automation that does the heavy lifting. Instead of wrestling with endless manual tasks, your team gets to focus on what actually matters — delivering clean, reliable data that powers your business forward.

Using Datafold alongside a robust migration is like a data migration dream come true. Datafold takes care of tasks like SQL syntax translation and data validation, freeing up your team to prioritize strategy over troubleshooting. Plus, its precision ensures every bit of data lands exactly where it should, intact and ready for action.

If you’re ready to take the stress out of migrations, Datafold is your go-to partner. Whether you’re tackling compatibility issues, managing large-scale datasets or juggling multiple stakeholders, we equip you with tools that simplify the toughest parts of the process. With features like automated checks and real-time insights, Datafold helps you set the stage for long-term success. To simplify your migration move even further, now is the perfect time to chat with one of our migration experts.