.svg){kind=icon}
Migration Checklist: 11 Steps to Create a Successful Cloud Migration Project Plan
George Grubor
Three out of four cloud migrations end up costing more than planned. That’s not just a number—it’s a reality check from McKinsey & Company that shows how easy it is to overspend when there’s no clear plan in place.
The rush to move to the cloud is understandable. It promises scalability, faster performance, and reduced reliance on aging hardware.
But without a structured cloud migration project plan, even the most well-intentioned move can spiral into delays, rising cloud costs, and unplanned downtime.
This guide breaks down what cloud migration really involves, why businesses need more than just technical tools, and how to create a cloud migration roadmap that leads to real, measurable results.
How cloud migration works and why your business needs it
Cloud migration is the process of moving digital assets like data, applications, servers, or entire IT environments into a cloud infrastructure. It often involves transitioning from on-premise systems to a public cloud platform like Azure, or sometimes between cloud providers in a cloud-to-cloud migration.
This shift enables businesses to modernize operations, reduce infrastructure costs, and gain access to advanced cloud features.
Without a structured cloud migration roadmap, companies risk data loss, downtime, inflated cloud costs, and security vulnerabilities. That’s where a detailed migration roadmap and checklist come into play.
What is a cloud migration project plan?
A cloud migration project plan is a comprehensive document that outlines the steps, responsibilities, resources, and timelines required to migrate systems, data, and workloads to the cloud.
This plan includes everything—from selecting a cloud provider and choosing the right cloud service to assessing risks and validating performance post-migration.
A cloud migration project plan will often include:
- The current state of your infrastructure
- Target cloud platform and environment
- Data migration strategies
- Cloud adoption goals
- Application migration steps
- Security protocols
- Cloud cost management
- Migration tools and services
- Roles for each migration team member
- A communication plan and trial periods
This cloud migration roadmap should also reflect your organization’s overall cloud adoption framework and align with your broader cloud strategy.
11 essential steps to build a cloud migration plan
Not sure how to organize your move to the cloud? These steps break down the entire cloud migration process into clear, manageable actions your team can follow.
Step #1 – Assess your current environment
Before creating a cloud migration project plan, the migration team needs to evaluate what already exists. This includes analyzing infrastructure, software, storage, databases, networking, and workflows.
During this stage, a detailed inventory helps define what needs to be moved and what can be left behind.
Some legacy systems may not be compatible with the new cloud platform or may require re-architecture. This is especially critical in larger enterprise systems or when dealing with a single cloud versus a hybrid cloud environment.
You’ll also want to assess dependencies between systems, performance bottlenecks, and any potential blockers. This discovery phase lays the groundwork for a cloud migration roadmap that actually fits your business.
Step #2 – Define your cloud migration strategy
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to cloud migration strategies. Some businesses migrate all at once, while others take a phased migration approach. Some rely on rehosting (“lift and shift”), while others refactor applications to take advantage of native cloud capabilities.
A successful cloud migration roadmap includes a strategy that aligns with business goals and technical constraints.
If you’re migrating to Azure or another public cloud, this stage should include input from your cloud provider to fine-tune your approach.
Your strategy also defines the cloud adoption path—are you building a new cloud infrastructure from scratch or transitioning existing operations to the cloud?
Step #3 – Choose the right cloud platform and provider
Whether it’s Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud, selecting the right cloud service provider can make or break the migration process. This choice affects everything—from cloud cost models and available features to support levels and global coverage.
Evaluate each cloud platform based on your operational requirements, security needs, compliance standards, and technical compatibility. If you're moving from one cloud platform to another, ensure the provider supports a cloud-to-cloud migration with minimal friction.
You’ll also want to check if the cloud provider offers migration tools, technical support, and pricing calculators. This can reduce overhead and ensure a more effective cloud migration.
Step #4 – Build your migration team
Every cloud migration project needs a cross-functional migration team. This team typically includes IT leads, DevOps engineers, database admins, security officers, and a project manager who oversees the full cloud migration project plan.
The project manager plays a key role in ensuring timelines are met, tasks are completed, and the migration stays within scope.
Depending on your migration scale, you may also include application specialists or third-party consultants who understand cloud transformation and can assist with complex workloads.
Clear roles and responsibilities help avoid bottlenecks and improve coordination throughout the migration journey.
Step #5 – Create a cloud migration roadmap
Now it’s time to put the plan together. A cloud migration roadmap outlines the phases of cloud migration, including key milestones, checkpoints, and goals for each phase.
Your roadmap should define when and how each application, service, or database will be moved to the cloud. A phased migration approach often works best—start with non-critical systems, test performance, and then move to more essential assets.
This structured approach ensures a smooth and successful migration, allowing your team to catch issues early before moving mission-critical components.
Step #6 – Evaluate security and compliance requirements
Security isn’t optional. Migrating to cloud platforms like Azure introduces new risks and new responsibilities. You need to understand how cloud security models differ from on-premise and how to secure data during and after migration.
This step should include encryption protocols, identity and access management, backup plans, and compliance checks. If you're handling customer data, ensure the cloud provider meets standards like GDPR, HIPAA, or SOC 2.
A cloud migration checklist should include detailed security requirements, especially during data migration and application transfer phases.
Step #7 – Estimate and optimize cloud cost
Cloud cost planning is a major part of any successful cloud migration. Moving to the cloud without proper cost estimation can lead to overprovisioning and skyrocketing bills.
Use cloud pricing calculators to estimate costs based on your projected usage. Consider reserved instances, autoscaling, and right-sizing options to manage ongoing expenses. Understanding your cloud investment up front helps reduce surprises down the line.
Part of the cloud migration roadmap should also include cost monitoring tools that track usage across services and help optimize spend as your operations grow.
Step #8 – Build a comprehensive migration plan
A comprehensive cloud migration project plan ties all earlier steps together. It’s the full document that includes the technical blueprint, communication plan, migration tools, test schedules, and fallback processes in case something goes wrong.
It should address both the big-picture goals and the tactical steps required to achieve a smooth and successful migration.
Step #9 – Run a migration trial
Before moving your full infrastructure, it's smart to run a migration trial or pilot migration. This can involve migrating a small application or database to the new cloud environment. It's your chance to test how well your cloud strategy holds up in practice.
This phase is useful for testing network performance, evaluating integration with other platforms, and measuring latency and cost. If you're transitioning operations to the cloud in phases, this trial gives you the opportunity to refine steps before scaling up.
Step #10 – Perform the migration
With plans, tools, and test results in place, it’s time to perform the migration. This is where the heavy lifting happens—moving your data to the cloud, deploying applications, configuring cloud infrastructure, and making sure every workload transitions correctly.
Some businesses opt to perform this phase overnight or during low-traffic hours to reduce disruption. You’ll need to keep close watch on performance metrics, application errors, and user access during this phase.
Step #11 – Validate and optimize post-migration
Once you’ve moved everything, you’re not done yet. Post-migration validation ensures systems are working as expected. This means checking application performance, verifying databases, running security audits, and confirming integration with other systems.
It’s also the perfect time to fine-tune configurations. Use this period to right-size your resources, remove unused services, and monitor usage patterns to avoid unnecessary cloud costs.
Some organizations even redesign their workflows at this point to take better advantage of cloud architecture.
How to know if your cloud migration project plan is working
What does a working cloud migration roadmap actually look like in practice? These are the signs that show whether your strategy is on track or needs a serious rethink.
- All key applications and services are performing in the new cloud without noticeable disruption
- Your cloud environment reflects the specs outlined in your migration plan, including storage, security, and scalability
- Cloud cost reports match your forecasts, with no large unplanned expenses
- Your migration team is hitting defined milestones on time
- There's no need for emergency rollbacks or critical patching post-deployment
- Users have access to systems with no noticeable drop in performance
- Monitoring tools show stable CPU, memory, and traffic patterns in the cloud infrastructure
- Integration with third-party services (e.g., email, CRMs, file storage) works without manual fixes
- Data integrity checks confirm no loss or corruption during data migration
- Post-migration audits show compliance with internal and external standards
- You’ve received sign-off from stakeholders confirming the migration was successful
Need help with cloud migration? Choose IT’s UpTime
If your organization is facing complex decisions about when and how to migrate to the cloud, having a trusted IT partner can make all the difference.
IT’s UpTime is the go-to provider for businesses needing tailored cloud migration strategies, fast execution, and reliable ongoing support.
Whether you need help building a cloud migration project plan, selecting the right cloud provider, or managing a multi-phase migration project, our experts are ready.
Need a project plan for cloud migration that actually works? Book a free consultation with our team today and start your cloud migration journey with confidence.
Frequently asked questions
What is a cloud migration plan, and why do businesses need one?
A cloud migration plan is a step-by-step strategy that outlines how a business will migrate digital assets like applications, databases, and servers to a cloud environment.
Businesses need a clear plan to ensure a smooth migration, reduce risk, and avoid service interruptions.
A well-structured cloud migration roadmap helps control cloud cost, defines timelines, and ensures the migration process aligns with overall goals. Without it, transitioning to the cloud can be chaotic, costly, and inefficient.
What are the benefits of creating a cloud migration roadmap before starting a migration?
The benefits of creating a cloud migration roadmap include risk mitigation, clearer task ownership, and a smoother transition from on-premise to cloud-based infrastructure.
A defined cloud roadmap lets your team identify potential issues before they happen. It helps you track the phases of cloud migration, manage costs, and align your migration strategy with the business's goals.
The roadmap is especially important when working within a cloud adoption framework or deploying in a phased migration model.
How do I create a successful cloud migration plan that works for my business?
To create a successful cloud migration, start by assessing your existing systems, identifying what needs to be moved, and selecting a cloud provider that fits your business needs.
Then, build a comprehensive migration plan that outlines the use of migration tools, assigns tasks to the migration team, and includes a communication plan.
A good cloud migration project plan also features a migration checklist, a cloud security review, and a test or migration trial to validate everything before going live.
What should my migration checklist include before I migrate to the cloud?
A solid cloud migration checklist should include asset inventory, compatibility checks, performance benchmarks, a risk assessment, and a backup plan. Also, include steps for application migration, data migration, and setting up your new cloud infrastructure.
It should align with your cloud migration strategies and cover everything from cloud-to-cloud migration scenarios to moving assets from legacy platforms to Azure or a public cloud. Your cloud migration roadmap is key to a successful migration.
What cloud migration strategies are available, and how do I choose the right one?
Common cloud migration strategies include rehosting (lift and shift), replatforming, refactoring, and rebuilding.
The right strategy depends on your current tech stack, business objectives, and cloud capabilities. If you need fast results, rehosting might work. For deeper optimization, refactoring provides better long-term value.
Your cloud architecture, application complexity, and operational needs will help determine the best fit. Always plan your migration based on long-term goals rather than short-term gains.
What tools or services can help my team perform the migration better?
There are many cloud service providers and migration tools that support specific goals, whether you’re doing an application migration, database migration, or moving from one cloud platform to another.
Look for cloud service platforms that offer automation, cost tracking, compliance support, and technical documentation.
Consider vendors that specialize in deep cloud integration and can help build a project plan for cloud migration from scratch. Also, factor in whether your migration involves Atlassian cloud, single cloud, or multi-cloud operations.
What does cloud adoption involve, and how does it impact my migration project?
Cloud adoption refers to the shift from traditional IT infrastructure to cloud computing models. It involves understanding cloud investment, selecting the right cloud offers, and evaluating the cloud platform best suited to your business.
Your journey to the cloud may include adopting cloud services like IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS, depending on what you need.
Adoption impacts your migration project by influencing architecture, governance, and service-level expectations. The right cloud migration project plan helps you build a migration strategy that scales.
%20The%20smart%20way%20to%20protect%20your%20business.avif)
