If you’ve already moved some applications and data to the cloud, it’s easy to assume that what worked there will work for every cloud migration project. However, applying a single cloud migration strategy across all projects can lead to inefficiencies, disruptions, or unexpected costs.
| “The simplest way to avoid cloud migration challenges is to plan ahead.” – Nahjee Maybin, CEO of Kenyatta Computer Services |
While there is value in applying lessons learned to future migration planning, it’s important not to rely solely on those lessons. Each project must align with its purpose.
The wrong strategy might delay timelines, increase risks, or fail to meet business expectations. 74% of companies have moved applications back on-premises after unsuccessful cloud migrations, but you don’t have to be one of them.
This article will explore various strategies that you can apply to your cloud migration process. We will also explore how you can implement them and what the key benefits of migrating to the cloud with a clear strategy are.
Why Would a Single Business Have Multiple Cloud Migration Projects?
A single business may run multiple cloud migration projects because their IT environment is complex and evolves over time. Different systems serve different purposes and may require separate migration timelines, strategies, or approvals.
Here are a few examples of situations where a cloud migration may be split into multiple projects.
| Staggered migration schedules | Not all workloads are moved at once. Companies often migrate in phases to reduce risk and manage change gradually. |
| Multiple cloud platforms | One team might move workloads to Azure while another uses AWS or moves to SaaS models, depending on what fits best. |
| Varied departments | Each department may have their own systems with unique goals, timelines, or compliance needs. |
| Mergers, acquisitions, or divestitures | These create new requirements for migrating specific systems or separating environments. |
| Ongoing modernization efforts | Legacy applications might be moved as-is at first, then rearchitected later, requiring multiple projects for the same workload. |
How to Choose The Right Cloud Migration Strategy For Each Project
1. Define Your Goals
Clarify what your team expects to achieve by migrating the workload. This could include lowering costs, improving availability, simplifying management, or meeting new compliance standards. Having clear goals helps focus your decision and reduces the chance of using a strategy that does not match the reason for the project.
2. Assess Each Application’s Technical Profile
Explore how each application you want to migrate is built, how it connects to other systems, and what kind of performance it needs. Review how data flows, what resources it uses, and whether anything is outdated or custom-built. This helps you rule out strategies that would require major changes or carry higher risks for that specific workload.
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3. Identify Constraints
Check for licensing rules, vendor agreements, or compliance issues that limit how and where you can move data and applications. Understand how these rules apply to the workload you plan to migrate. This will protect your project from roadblocks that might appear after the migration starts.
4. Evaluate Your Downtime & Risk Tolerance
Determine how much downtime is acceptable during the migration and what risks would disrupt the business. Perhaps, some systems cannot be offline for more than a few minutes, while others can wait until after hours. Matching the strategy to the system’s availability needs prevents problems for users and customers.
It also helps you save money. Keep in mind that CloudSecureTech notes that for every minute your employees can’t use your cloud services, you lose $0.67 in wasted labor costs.
5. Consider Dependencies
Find out which systems must move together and which ones can move later. Some applications depend on others for data or login services, so moving them out of order causes failures. Planning the order correctly helps you avoid preventable outages.
6. Match Strategy Options to Project Characteristics
Compare cloud migration strategies to the needs of this specific workload. Each strategy works best in certain conditions, and your earlier steps give you the information to choose with confidence. Select the strategy that fits the application’s structure, business goals, risk level, and available resources.
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Common Cloud Migration Strategies & Their Ideal Use Cases
Rehost (Lift & Shift)
Rehosting involves moving an existing workload to the cloud without changing the application’s structure. This method uses virtual machines or containers to duplicate the on-premises environment in a cloud setting. The application continues to run the same way it did before, just on a different infrastructure.
This approach works best for projects that need to move quickly. It is often used when teams need to vacate aging hardware or exit a data center. It can also serve as a first step when long-term modernization is planned later.
If rehosting seems like the right choice, confirm that the application runs without relying on hardware-specific features or outdated systems that are difficult to replicate in the cloud. Use migration tools provided by the cloud provider to handle transfers efficiently. After the move, review performance and evaluate whether future improvements are needed.
Replatform (Lift, Tinker, and Shift)
Replatforming modifies part of the application to make it more cloud-friendly without changing its core functionality. This might include switching databases, adjusting storage methods, or using managed services for better performance or maintenance.
This strategy fits workloads that can benefit from better scalability or automation but do not require a full rebuild. It works well when teams want small improvements that reduce operational overhead or improve reliability. It also helps if you want to avoid deep changes while still using cloud-native features.
To carry out a replatforming project, identify specific components that cause maintenance issues or performance slowdowns. Replace those with cloud-managed alternatives that support the same functions. Test changes in a controlled environment to avoid introducing new issues during deployment.
Refactor (Re-Architect)
Refactoring involves rebuilding part or all of an application to use cloud-native technologies. This may include rewriting code, breaking the application into smaller services, or shifting to new models like containers or serverless computing. The changes allow the application to take full advantage of the cloud environment.
Refactoring is useful for systems that cannot meet business goals in their current form. It applies when performance, flexibility, or long-term support are limited by the existing architecture. It is also helpful for applications that must support future development plans that require modern design.
If you would like to refactor existing applications, start by identifying which limitations affect your ability to scale, automate, or integrate with other systems. Plan development cycles in phases to reduce risk and maintain service continuity. Use cloud-native design patterns and test each module before making the new system live.
Repurchase (Replace with SaaS)
Repurchasing replaces an existing application with a third-party software-as-a-service (SaaS) product. Instead of moving your current system to the cloud, you stop using it and adopt a ready-made platform that offers the same or similar functions.
This strategy is best for systems that no longer provide unique value or are too costly to maintain. It is common for productivity tools, CRM platforms, or communication systems where standard solutions meet all core requirements. This method can also reduce costs and speed up deployment.
To use this approach, review current workflows and confirm that the SaaS option meets your technical and compliance needs. Compare features and pricing across vendors to avoid disruption. Migrate data carefully and train users on the new platform to maintain continuity.
Retire
Retirement means decommissioning an application instead of migrating it. This happens when the system no longer serves a purpose or its functions have been replaced by something else. Removing outdated applications helps reduce complexity and operational costs by 30% to 50%.
This approach is appropriate when systems see little or no use or when the business can operate without them. It also applies when continuing to support the application creates more risk than value. Reviewing user activity and confirming with stakeholders helps validate the decision.
To retire a system, document where its functions have moved and where data is stored. Archive records based on compliance requirements. Communicate the change to relevant teams and shut down the system after confirming no dependencies remain.
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Work With Kenyatta Computer Services to Streamline Your MIgration
Each cloud migration project should support a specific goal. Using the same plan every time can lead to delays, extra costs, or technical problems. The best results come from matching the strategy to the system, not the other way around.
Get expert help with every stage of your cloud migration. Kenyatta Computer Services creates clear, customized plans that match your business goals. We support Azure, AWS, and hybrid environments, and handle everything from assessments and planning to hosting, security, and support.
Talk to us today to learn more about how we can help you.