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Migrating to Amazon Web Services (AWS) can appear overwhelming for organizations, but it is a structured journey that can lead to significant benefits. This article outlines five essential strategies that, whether implemented alone or together, can facilitate a smooth transition to AWS.
1. Adhere to a Proven Migration Process
Effective migration relies heavily on thorough preparation alongside the actual workload transfer. A common saying is, “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” The migration process can be navigated through four vital phases:
Discover: In this initial phase, define the scope of the migration. Focus on identifying which workloads are slated for migration without getting bogged down by the logistical complexities.
Assess: Now that you have a clear idea of the workloads, it is essential to articulate the rationale behind the migration and establish a timeline. A well-defined business case should outline the technical and business drivers motivating the move.
Mobilize: Establishing a robust foundation on AWS is crucial. Create a strong Landing Zone that follows the AWS Well-Architected Framework to ensure security, operational readiness, and cost awareness from the outset.
Migrate and Modernize: During this critical stage, effort should focus on transferring applications and upgrading them as needed. Proper planning will allow this phase to proceed smoothly, including considerations for potential downtime and rollback strategies.
2. Define Migration Patterns for Each Workload Early
AWS outlines a set of migration patterns, known as the 7Rs, that guide the migration approach, spanning from retiring workloads to re-architecting them for cloud optimization. The patterns include:
- Retire
- Retain
- Rehost
- Relocate
- Repurchase
- Replatform
- Refactor
By assigning a migration pattern to each workload early—preferably in the Assess phase—organizations can set a clear path for the subsequent Mobilize and Migrate stages, though it’s important to remain flexible as circumstances evolve.
3. Transform Both Technology and Business Operations
Successful migration involves not only technical considerations but also transformations in people, process, and tools. It’s easy to become enamored with new AWS capabilities while overlooking fundamental operational readiness.
Several shifts must be considered for effective cloud operations:
- Cloud Financial Management: Transitioning from capital expenditure (CapEx) to operating expenditure (OpEx) changes how costs are allocated and tracked. Organizations must adapt their financial models to account for this shift effectively.
- Resiliency and Disaster Recovery (DR): Defining RTO (Return-to-Operations) and RPO (Recovery Point Objective) targets is vital to establish resilience requirements. AWS provides valuable resources, such as a comprehensive whitepaper, to guide organizations on developing a DR strategy aligned with their operational goals.
- Security: The transition to the cloud necessitates a shift in security practices under the Shared Responsibility Model. Organizations need to assess and update their security configurations and decide whether to use AWS-native security tools for enhanced protection.
4. Utilize the AWS Well-Architected Framework
The Well-Architected Framework comprises a set of guidelines across six pillars: Operational Excellence, Security, Cost Optimization, Reliability, Performance Efficiency, and Sustainability. Each pillar guides organizations to implement best practices effectively.
Specific to migration, the migration lens within the framework offers targeted guidance that aligns with the phases of the migration journey. Evaluating progress against this framework can facilitate informed decision-making and bolster the migration’s success.
5. Collaborate with AWS Specialists
For extensive and complex migrations, partnering with an experienced AWS provider can greatly enhance the process. AWS provides resources to help identify the right partner through various specialization programs, which include:
- Competencies: These acknowledge partners with proven expertise in specific industries or use cases related to AWS.
- Service Delivery: This focuses on partners demonstrating consistent delivery of high-standard solutions for particular AWS services.
- Well-Architected: Recognizes partners who are adept in designing and adhering to AWS best practices for architecture.
To find an appropriate partner, leverage the AWS Partner Finder.
By utilizing these strategies, organizations can streamline their AWS migration process. Following a proven methodology, leveraging partnerships, assigning workloads to migration patterns early, and aligning with the Well-Architected Framework prepares teams for a successful and comprehensive transformation. Engaging the entire organization in this initiative ensures that the benefits of the migration extend and resonate throughout the entire business landscape.
Source
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