Building a Cloud Migration Strategy That Actually Works

Thinking about moving your infrastructure to the cloud? If you’re crafting a cloud computing strategy, you’re in good company. More and more organizations are ditching on-prem systems and making the leap to the cloud for flexibility, cost savings, and scale. But here’s the thing: cloud migration isn’t as simple as flipping a switch.

A solid strategy makes all the difference between a smooth transition and a mess of downtime, security headaches, and unexpected costs. This guide walks you through what a smart cloud migration strategy looks like—and how to avoid common pitfalls.

What We Mean by “Cloud Migration Strategy”

When we talk about a cloud migration strategy, we’re talking about a game plan. It’s not just about moving files to a server in the sky—it’s about figuring out what you’re moving, why you’re moving it, and how you’re going to get there without blowing your budget or breaking anything important.

This includes picking the right cloud model, mapping out the tech side of the move, and making sure your team knows what’s changing.

Why You Need a Game Plan

Here’s the honest truth: cloud migration without a plan is asking for trouble.

• 69% of companies said they blew past their cloud migration budgets in 2023 (Gartner).
• Over half of IT leaders report some form of disruption to business during the move.
• And let’s not forget the long-term regret of locking into the wrong platform or tool too early.

With the right plan, you’ll keep things running, stay secure, and make sure you’re not paying for cloud services you don’t need.

The Five Key Moves for a Successful Migration

1. Get a Clear Picture of What You’re Working With

Start with a full inventory. What apps are you running? What data do you store? What’s critical and what’s collecting dust?

Understanding your current setup helps you figure out what can move, what needs to be updated, and what you can probably retire altogether. Use this time to spot interdependencies and any technical debt that could slow you down later.

Pro Tip: Cloud-native tools like Azure Migrate or AWS Application Discovery can help automate some of this groundwork.

2. Pick the Right Cloud Setup

You’ve got options—don’t just default to one because it’s popular.

• Public cloud (like AWS, Azure, GCP) is great for speed and scalability.
• Private cloud gives you more control and may be better if you’re dealing with sensitive data.
• Hybrid or multicloud setups are more flexible and help you avoid vendor lock-in.

According to a 2024 Flexera report, 89% of businesses are now using a multicloud approach to get the best of all worlds.

Here is a side-by-side visual comparison:

3. Choose How You’ll Make the Move

Not every workload needs to be rebuilt from the ground up. There are a few different ways to migrate:

• Lift and shift (rehosting): Move it as-is. Fast, but might not be optimized.
• Replatforming: Tweak a few things to run more efficiently in the cloud.
• Refactoring: Rewrite parts to take full advantage of cloud-native capabilities.
• Retiring: Ditch anything outdated or unused.
• Repurchasing: Swap custom-built tools for SaaS versions.

A mix of these usually works best. Just avoid trying to refactor everything at once unless you’ve got a lot of time and resources.

4. Lock Down Your Security and Governance

Security can’t be an afterthought. Once your data is in the cloud, you need the right controls in place:

• Role-based access control (RBAC)
• Encryption for data at rest and in transit
• Regular audits and compliance checks
• Backup and recovery plans

If you’re in a regulated industry (finance, healthcare, government), this part is even more important.

And just because the cloud provider is secure doesn’t mean your configuration is. Misconfigurations are still the #1 cause of cloud breaches.

5. Test, Train, and Tweak

Once you’re up and running, keep a close eye on performance, costs, and usability.

• Test everything before and after the move.
• Monitor your cloud usage to catch any billing surprises.
• Train your team on new tools and workflows.
• Optimize regularly—cloud costs can spiral if you “set it and forget it.”

Let’s Make This Easy

Cloud migration doesn’t have to be chaotic. With a smart strategy, the right tools, and a team that knows what they’re doing, you can avoid the common traps and come out the other side with an IT environment that’s faster, more secure, and way easier to manage.

Need a hand mapping out your move? The Dataprise team is here to help—whether you’re planning a full-scale migration or just want to start with a cloud readiness assessment.

Let’s talk cloud migration