Information to Collect Before a Migration

Prepare the application, data and ownership details that turn a migration enquiry into a reviewable scope.

Before you begin

Work with the application owner and authorised administrator. You can prepare this inventory without sending credentials. Agree secure access exchange only when the team has reviewed the proposed work.

Work through the checklist

1. Describe the application. Give its name, versions, operating system, runtime and database. Include vendor contacts or support constraints where applicable.
2. Measure the data. Record database size, files, uploads, growth and available disk space. Identify data that changes while the application is in use.
3. List dependencies. Include workers, scheduled jobs, email senders, integrations, DNS and certificates. Identify any licence activation tied to the environment.
4. Name the decision owners. Record who controls accounts and DNS, approves access and validates the business workflows.
5. Describe the intended move. Explain the destination, reason for the change, acceptable interruption and any required date. Dates remain subject to scope and availability review.
6. Define acceptance. List sign-in, transactions, reports, uploads or other workflows that must pass. Agree who can approve cutover and rollback.

Useful evidence is specific and safe

Resource observations and concise error descriptions can help scope work. Remove credentials and sensitive business records before sharing them. If logs or exports are needed later, agree the appropriate secure channel and the minimum relevant information.

Example and limits

For an application using a database and uploaded files, provide both data sizes and the workflow used to create new records. This example is an inventory aid, not a transfer method or a promise of completion time.

Document the next action

Record the decisions, the person authorised to approve changes and the evidence used to validate the result. Keep passwords, private keys and confidential business data out of planning notes shared through an initial enquiry. Revisit the record when the application, access requirements or commercial agreement changes.