EZ IT SOLUTION LLC - Cloud, DevOps & Custom Software Solutions

Cloud migration is a complex process that requires careful planning and execution. Whether you're moving from on-premises infrastructure to AWS, Azure, or GCP, having a comprehensive checklist ensures nothing falls through the cracks.

Phase 1: Assessment & Planning

Before you begin your migration, you need to understand what you're working with:

Inventory all applications, databases, and dependencies
Assess current infrastructure costs and performance metrics
Identify compliance and security requirements
Define success criteria and KPIs
Choose the right cloud provider and services

Phase 2: Architecture Design

Design your cloud architecture with scalability and security in mind:

Select appropriate compute, storage, and networking services
Design for high availability and disaster recovery
Plan your network topology and security groups
Define IAM roles and access policies
Choose between lift-and-shift, re-platforming, or re-architecting

Phase 3: Migration Execution

Execute your migration in phases to minimize risk:

Set up your cloud environment and networking
Migrate non-critical workloads first
Test thoroughly in staging environments
Plan for zero-downtime cutover
Monitor performance during and after migration

Phase 4: Optimization

Once migrated, optimize for cost and performance:

Right-size your resources based on actual usage
Implement auto-scaling policies
Set up comprehensive monitoring and alerting
Review and optimize costs monthly
Continuously improve security posture

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Learn from others' mistakes:

Underestimating the complexity of dependencies
Not testing disaster recovery procedures
Ignoring data transfer costs
Failing to train your team on cloud technologies
Not having a rollback plan

Conclusion

Cloud migration is a journey, not a destination. With proper planning, execution, and ongoing optimization, you can achieve significant cost savings, improved performance, and greater scalability.