Introduction
Thinking about migrating your data platform? You’re in good company. Enterprises everywhere are upgrading their systems to handle growing volumes of data and changing business needs.
But here’s the tricky part: migration can go wrong quickly. From unexpected downtime to lost data and compliance issues — the risks are real. And often, the problems don’t show up on day one. They sneak in later, affecting performance, reporting, and trust.
Whether you’re a CIO, data architect, IT manager, or anyone involved in the migration process. We’ll break down five common mistakes we’ve seen in our 15+ years with data platform migrations — and more importantly, how to avoid them with clear, practical steps.
Table of Contents
1. Skipping the Planning Phase
What Goes Wrong
Many teams jump into migration with urgency but without a real plan. That usually leads to unclear goals, missed deadlines, and costly rework.
What to Do Instead
- Set clear goals: better performance, cost savings, or compliance
- Understand your current setup: data volumes, integrations, and dependencies
- Pick your method:
- Big Bang (fast, but higher risk)
- Phased (slower, but easier to control)
- Assign a cross-functional team to lead the project
- Set timelines and budgets you can actually stick to
2. Moving Messy Data
What Goes Wrong
If your data is outdated, inconsistent, or duplicated, moving it won’t fix the problem — it’ll just carry it over. That creates issues in reporting, analytics, and system performance.
What to Do Instead
- Run a data audit before migrating
- Remove duplicates and clean up outdated entries
- Standardize formats and naming conventions
- Document your cleanup process so it’s easy to repeat
- Put a plan in place to maintain data quality over time
3. Not Preparing for Downtime
What Goes Wrong
Even short downtime can throw off business operations. If no one is ready for it, it becomes a bigger deal than it needs to be.
What to Do Instead
- Use a test environment to check everything in advance
- Run the old and new systems side-by-side for a short period
- Choose a migration window during low-traffic hours
- Communicate with all teams so there are no surprises
- Have a rollback option ready, just in case
4. Overlooking Security and Compliance
What Goes Wrong
When you’re moving sensitive data, security has to be a priority. One slip-up can lead to a breach or non-compliance — and those mistakes are expensive.
What to Do Instead
- Encrypt everything: during the move and once it’s in place
- Use access controls to limit who can see what
- Follow relevant regulations (GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, etc.)
- Audit the system before and after migration
- Set up alerts to catch unusual activity quickly
5. Skipping the Follow-Up
What Goes Wrong
The migration is finished — but your work isn’t. If you don’t test, train, and optimize afterward, problems might go unnoticed for weeks.
What to Do Instead
- Test with a small group before going all in
- Check data accuracy, system speed, and user access
- Train your team on the new system
- Monitor system health and performance
- Keep optimizing based on feedback and real-world usage
6.Bonus: Thinking Too Short-Term
What Goes Wrong
Focusing only on the current migration means you might miss what’s coming next — whether it’s new tools, more data, or unexpected growth.
What to Do Instead
- Choose systems that can scale
- Think ahead: Will you need real-time analytics? AI integrations?
- Budget for future updates, not just the initial project
- Keep documentation updated so it’s easier to build on later
Wrapping Up
Data platform migration doesn’t have to be a struggle. With smart planning, clean data, secure systems, and ongoing support, you can make the move with confidence.
Start by avoiding these common mistakes. Build a team that communicates clearly. Keep your goals in focus. And always test before you go live.
Because the best migrations don’t just move data — they move your business forward.
FAQs
Q: How long does a typical enterprise migration take?
A: It depends on data complexity and volume, but most projects range from a few weeks to several months.
Q: Should we migrate everything at once or in phases?
A: Phased migration is often safer for large enterprises. It allows for testing and adjustments without major risk.
Q: What if we don’t have a rollback plan?
A: Always have one. It’s your safety net if something breaks during or after the cutover.
Q: How do we ensure data isn’t lost or corrupted?
A: Use backups, validate your data before and after the move, and test with small batches first.
Q: Who should be involved in the migration project?
A: Involve IT, security, compliance, and business users. Migration impacts all corners of the organization.
