Data Migration: Challenges & Joy! Part 2.

Forewarned is forearmed

Before we jump into details about migration methodologies, let us step back and understand some of challenges ahead of us. Whether you are migrating from a legacy system or a spreadsheet/database, you have to understand everything about your “SOURCE” system.

Common misconceptions about migration

• Data migration is an IT job function.
• We know our data!
• Data migration is one of the last steps taken before you go live with the new system.
• We can always change it after we go live.
• Acquiring legacy data is easy.
• Existing data will fit the new system.
• Existing data is of good quality.
• Existing data and business processes are understood.
• Documentation exists on data rules and formatting.
• We Don’t Need Tools or Special Skills
• Migration Is a Separate Activity

What you as the lead of the migration effort need to do is work with your team to dismiss these misconceptions.

Data migration is not a matter of copying data! In order to be successful at migrating data, one has to thoroughly understand
(1) Why is the data being migrated, significance and value to the organization?
(2) What data is being migrated?
(3) Where does the data reside currently?
(4) What are the rules for the data in the “Source” system and how is the target system setup?
(5) Who are the experts for each of the data domains?
(Hint: do not limit yourself to an IT resource)
(6) What is the success rate of migrating into this application?
(7) Who else in your industry segment has been through this activity?
(Hint: Do a benchmark)
(8) What do you need from a hardware/software perspective to support the data migration?
(Hint: Benchmarking and reference calls will provide this information)

Now that you armed with some answers which will highlight what you need to focus on, we can step back and think through our methodology.

Don't lose your humor, remember your mantra “I love data migration”

"Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed here are my own only and in no way represent the views, positions or opinions - expressed or implied - of my employer (present and past) "
"Please post your comments - Swati Ranganathan"