AWS Cloud Migration – The Ultimate Checklist and Pre-plan Worksheet

Download the Cloud Migration Pre-plan Worksheet Now
Do you know how and when to migrate your business to the AWS Cloud and determine which architecture is going to deliver measurable returns on the time and resources invested? How do you begin the process to answering these and other hard questions?
This checklist and the downloadable worksheet can help small and medium-sized businesses with limited resources get a jump start. Using these success tactics from those who have already transitioned can help begin building a strategic infrastructure that will work for your organization long term.

◻ Assign Accountability

Overthinking cloud migration is a sure-fire way to keep you from getting off the ground, so assign accountability, set clear expectations, seek expert help and begin. Protelligent’s AWS Certified Solutions Architects have the knowledge and experience to get the project off the ground and keep it moving.

◻ Assemble an Oversight Team

Without the help of a leadership team, you are setting your migration plans up for failure. First, empower a single point of contact to manage timelines, remove obstacles and keep the C-suite on the same page. Next, establish a team of individuals who will be responsible for providing strategic oversight, reviewing progress and addressing questions across the organization.

Protelligent provides scalable support and resources to take on these roles, but the biggest value-add is having a partner who focuses on your individual needs. We take the time to get to know your business goals, your people and the “why” behind your organization’s migration to the cloud. So instead of dealing with multiple tech-support agents and time-consuming question-and-answer sessions, we give you a personalized level of responsiveness to ensure a smooth implementation.

◻ Set up Your List of Tenets

Putting together a small, but powerful list of core principles creates a common frame of reference for everyone to understand the “why” and the “how” behind the many questions that will undoubtedly come up. These include the reasons behind transitioning to the AWS cloud, security objectives and what resources you’ll need for the job. Gather input from a wide range of sources and be prepared to adjust and change this list as you work through the project to stay on track.

◻ Establish a Questions Parking Lot

Expect to be inundated with questions from every level of the company, and while each one is important to address, attempting to do this without all the key players can waste a lot of time and resources. Placing these questions on a master list and providing answers through regular session meetings with all stakeholders will keep the work moving forward and deliver the most up-to-date information.

◻ Put Together a Cloud Engineering Team

Creating a tight team of expert engineers with a wide range of skill sets is absolutely crucial for successful migration. From infrastructure and security to applications and operations, you must ensure the integrity of your cloud migration on all sides. Our AWS Certified Solutions Architects can help you accomplish this while maximizing your time and budget.

◻ Bring in Outside Partners

From which data-center practices to keep, which to leave behind, what approach to take and what tools to use, your cloud engineering team will have strong opinions about the way forward. Working with an APN Select Consulting Partner, like Protelligent, who has in-depth experience can streamline your migration to the cloud and provide a partnership that will help you avoid unnecessary delays.

◻ Use AWS Best Practices and Work Backwards

The AWS cloud itself is secure; however, misconfigurations in server buckets caused by human error underscore how important it is that your cloud-engineering team and stakeholders understand the AWS Shared Responsibility Model. Working backward from your security, compliance and availability objectives can make the process go more fluently. But, if you want to make sure the job is completed without any snags, it’s always best to call on the AWS Certified Solutions Architects at Protelligent.

◻ Get a Viable, but Not Critical Product into Production

Getting something tangible into production can deliver value quickly, showing everyone the true benefits of cloud computing. While time is of the essence, it can also create undue pressure. Instead of setting a deadline, define a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and keep the team focused on this task.

◻ Education is Everything

Your AWS cloud migration is a prime opportunity to proactively invest in your people. Additional training, experience and certifications not only work to bridge the IT skills gap, they also enable you to retain the best talent, while attracting new talent.

◻ Balance Control with Innovation

In business, just as in life, you miss 100% of the shots you never take. Don’t be afraid to be bold and blaze new trails in the cloud. Partnering with experts like Protelligent can help you balance control and security as you innovate to ensure your IT environment is protected at every level.

While there are plenty of horror stories out there, your cloud migration doesn’t have to be a nightmare. With the help of our AWS Certified Solutions Architects, you can ensure your migration to the cloud is seamless and secure, while positioning your company for future growth. Contact us at (855) PRO-TELL and gain the peace of mind you need to focus your energy on things like identifying new customer opportunities and staying ahead of the competition.