Moving to the cloud is rarely a single step. A successful migration starts with a clear plan that matches each application to the right approach. A widely used framework for this is the “6 Rs” of cloud migration.
Step 1: Assess Your Current Environment
Begin with an inventory of applications, servers, databases and dependencies. Record how each system is used, who owns it, how critical it is and what compliance rules apply. Understanding dependencies prevents surprises, such as moving an application while leaving behind the database it relies on.
The 6 Rs of Cloud Migration
1. Rehost (Lift and Shift)
Move the application as-is to cloud virtual machines. This is the fastest approach and requires minimal changes, though it may not capture the full benefits of the cloud.
2. Replatform (Lift, Tinker and Shift)
Make small optimizations without changing the core architecture, such as moving a self-managed database to a managed database service.
3. Refactor (Re-architect)
Redesign the application to use cloud-native features such as microservices, containers or serverless. This takes the most effort but can deliver the greatest long-term gains in scalability and agility.
4. Repurchase
Replace the application with a SaaS product, for example moving from a self-hosted CRM to a subscription-based one.
5. Retire
Switch off applications that are no longer needed. Discovery often reveals systems nobody uses, and retiring them reduces cost and risk.
6. Retain
Keep some workloads where they are, for reasons such as regulation, latency, recent hardware investment or technical constraints. Reassess them later.
Step 2: Build the Business Case
Estimate the total cost of ownership for both environments, including licenses, staffing, training and data transfer. Define measurable goals, such as faster releases, improved availability or reduced hardware spending.
Step 3: Design a Landing Zone
Prepare the cloud foundation before moving workloads: account structure, network layout, identity and access controls, logging, security baselines and cost tagging. A well-designed landing zone keeps later migrations consistent and safe.
Step 4: Pilot First
Choose a low-risk, non-critical workload and migrate it end to end. The pilot validates your process, exposes gaps in skills or tooling, and builds confidence across the team.
Step 5: Migrate in Waves
Group applications into waves based on dependencies and risk. Test thoroughly before cutover, keep a rollback plan, and schedule moves during low-traffic periods where possible.
Step 6: Optimize After Migration
Once workloads are running, review performance, right-size resources, tighten security and improve monitoring. Many of the real benefits of the cloud appear in this phase.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping discovery and underestimating dependencies
- Treating every application the same way
- Neglecting security and governance until after the move
- Ignoring staff training and change management
- Failing to plan for data transfer time and costs
Final Thoughts
A good migration is a series of deliberate decisions, not a rush to move everything. Assess honestly, choose the right “R” for each workload, start small and keep improving after go-live.
