Data Migration Checklist for SMEs 🚀

Because “We’ll Just Move the Data” Has Never Gone Smoothly. Ever.

data migration checklist

😅 The Problem

Data migration sounds simple… until it isn’t.

One minute you’re exporting tables, the next you’re fielding calls because half your “active users” are now inactive, customer names look like emojis, and someone forgot to migrate lookup tables altogether.

That’s why we created a Data Migration Checklist that actually works in the real world — not just in the heads of overly optimistic project managers.

What Does a Good Data Migration Checklist Actually Help With?

1. Catches the “We Totally Forgot About That” Stuff

Missed dependencies? Orphaned tables? Broken links?
A good checklist makes sure you don’t overlook things you didn’t even know existed.

🧠 It’s like having a second brain — but one that’s really into schemas.

2. Stops Dirty Data at the Door

Why carry over junk data into your shiny new system?
A proper checklist reminds you to clean, validate, and profile before hitting “migrate.”

🧽 Migrate smarter, not messier.

3. Keeps the Team in Sync

Migration involves tech folks, business owners, analysts, and that one person who only checks emails at 5:29 PM.

A checklist aligns everyone on what needs doing, who’s doing it, and when.

📅 No more “I thought you were handling that.”

4. Reduces Post-Migration Chaos

What if something breaks? What if something almost breaks?
Checklists include testing, rollback plans, and sanity checks to catch issues early.

🔧 Fewer fire drills. More fist bumps.

5. Makes You Look Incredibly Prepared

When leadership asks, “Are we migration-ready?” — you can proudly point to your checklist and say,
“Yes. And here’s proof we didn’t wing it.”

🧾 Instant credibility. Even if your last three migrations were held together with duct tape.

6. Saves Time, Stress, and Apologies

Fixing a botched migration takes longer than planning it right.
A checklist = less stress, fewer surprises, and way fewer awkward status calls.

😌 Because no one enjoys saying, “We’re still looking into it.”

- Tirth C. (Founder @Flankraft)

Hey there,

I’m Tirth — founder of Flankraft, data governance nerd, and survivor of more “Oops, we forgot to migrate that table” moments than I care to admit.

Once, during a migration, we forgot to move the lookup tables. Suddenly, our product names looked like something out of a sci-fi script. One client called and asked if we were testing out encryption.

That’s when I realized: no matter how smart your team is, everyone needs a good checklist. Especially when the stakes are high and rollback plans sound like “we’ll figure it out.”

So here you go — a checklist that doesn’t try to be fancy. It just works.

Save yourself the panic.
Use the checklist.
Sleep better.

(And if something still breaks, at least you can say: “Well, we had a checklist.”)

Ready to Take the First Step?

Choose your next move:

🔻 Option 1: Download the Free Data Migration Checklist Template
Start organizing your data with our free starter version

🤝 Option 2: We will give you a 30-min walkthrough
Let us show you how to implement it based on your exact needs – connect@flankraft.com