Microsoft SharePoint Migration Overview

Unlocking Success
Strategies for Navigating Your SharePoint Migration Journey

 Agenda
1. Introduction to SharePoint Migration
2. Objectives and Goals

3. Scope of Migration
4. Migration Strategy
5. Pre-Migration Preparation

6. Migration Process
7. Post-Migration Tasks
8. Communication Plan




9.Risk Management
10. Governance and Compliance
11. User Training and Support

12. Performance Monitoring and Optimization
13. Costs and Resources
14. Success Metrics

15. Conclusion
16. Q&A

Migration Approach

  1. Scope of Migration
    • Detail the scope of the migration project.
    • Specify which content, sites, and applications will be migrated.
    • Mention any limitations or exclusions.
  2. Migration Strategy
    • Explain the chosen migration approach
      1. Lift-and-Shift
      2. Gradual migration
      3. Hybrid approach
    • Highlight any tools or software being used for migration.
    • Discuss the timeline and milestones.
  3. Pre-Migration Preparation
    • Outline steps for preparing the existing SharePoint environment for migration.
    • Include tasks such as data cleanup, permissions review, and user communication. 
  1. Migration Process
    • Describe the step-by-step process of migrating content, sites, and applications.
    • Include screenshots or diagrams if helpful.
    • Address potential challenges and how they will be mitigated.
  2. Post-Migration Tasks
    • Explain what happens after the migration is complete.
    • Detail tasks such as user training, testing, and post-migration support.
  3. Communication Plan
    • Highlight the importance of effective communication throughout the migration process.
    • Outline how stakeholders will be informed about the progress and any changes. 
  1. Risk Management
    • Identify potential risks associated with the migration.
    • Discuss strategies for mitigating risks and minimizing disruptions.
  2. Governance and Compliance
    • Address governance policies and compliance requirements.
    • Explain how these will be maintained during and after migration.
  3. User Training and Support
    • Detail plans for training users on the new SharePoint environment.
    • Provide resources for ongoing support. 
  1. Performance Monitoring and Optimization
    • Explain how the performance of the migrated environment will be monitored.
    • Discuss strategies for optimizing performance if needed.
  2. Costs and Resources
    • Provide an overview of the budget and resources required for the migration.
    • Highlight any potential cost savings or ROI.
  3. Success Metrics
    • Define metrics for evaluating the success of the migration.
    • Examples include user adoption rates, improved collaboration, and cost savings.
  4. Conclusion
    • Summarize key points.
    • Reiterate the benefits of the migration. 

Few Tools for Migration

  • Microsoft SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT)
    Developed by Microsoft, this FREE tool allows you to migrate content from on-premises SharePoint servers, file shares, and other sources to SharePoint Online in Office 365. Read the limitations

    We need to use SharePoint Migration Assessment Tool (SMAT) which is a simple command line executable tool. It scans the contents of your SharePoint farm to help identify the impact of migrating your server to SharePoint with Microsoft 365
  • ShareGate
    ShareGate is a popular migration tool for SharePoint, offering capabilities for content migration, management, and reporting. It supports migrations between SharePoint versions as well as from file shares, Exchange Public Folders, and more.
  • Metalogix
    Metalogix offers a suite of tools for SharePoint and Office 365 migration, management, and security. Their solutions cover various aspects of migration, including content migration, metadata management, and security configuration.
  • AvePoint
    AvePoint provides migration tools specifically designed for SharePoint and Office 365 environments. Their offerings include solutions for migrating content, restructuring sites, and managing permissions during migration.
  • Quest Migration Manager
    Quest offers a comprehensive migration solution for SharePoint, enabling you to migrate content, sites, and applications while preserving metadata, permissions, and customizations.
  • Vyapin Dockit Migrator
    Dockit Migrator is a migration tool that supports SharePoint and Office 365 migrations. It allows you to migrate content, permissions, and metadata while providing options for scheduling and reporting.
  • CodeTwo Office 365 Migration
    CodeTwo offers a migration tool specifically designed for migrating content to Office 365, including SharePoint Online. It supports migrations from various sources, including on-premises SharePoint servers and file shares.
  • Custom Scripts and PowerShell
    In addition to third-party tools, custom scripts and PowerShell scripts can be used to automate migration tasks, perform bulk operations, and customize the migration process according to specific requirements.
  • SPMT does not support custom workflows, and only some out of the box (OOTB) workflows. Once SharePoint Designer workflow migration is enabled, only a few OOTB are not supported.

Typical challenges

  • Data Mapping and Cleanup
    Inconsistencies in data structure, metadata, and permissions across different systems can complicate the migration process. Ensuring data integrity and relevance requires thorough planning and sometimes manual cleanup efforts.
  • Permissions Management
    SharePoint often has complex permission structures, and ensuring that permissions are accurately migrated can be challenging. Mismanaged permissions can lead to security breaches or users being unable to access necessary resources.
  • Customizations and Workflows
    Customizations such as workflows, custom scripts, and third-party integrations can pose challenges during migration. Compatibility issues or differences between source and target environments may require adjustments or redevelopment
  • Content Volume and Size
    Large volumes of data or individual files can impact migration performance and duration. Bandwidth limitations and storage constraints may further complicate the process, requiring careful resource planning.
  • Version and Feature Compatibility
    Differences between source and target versions of SharePoint, as well as feature disparities, can lead to data loss, functionality gaps, or unexpected behavior post-migration. Ensuring compatibility and feature parity is crucial.
  • User Adoption and Training
    Changes to the user interface, navigation, and functionality can affect user adoption and productivity. Providing adequate training and support resources is essential for minimizing disruption and maximizing user satisfaction.
  • Governance and Compliance
    Maintaining governance policies, compliance requirements, and regulatory standards during migration is vital. Failure to adhere to these guidelines can result in legal repercussions or data breaches.
  • Testing and Validation
    Thorough testing is necessary to identify and address issues before, during, and after migration. However, inadequate testing or lack of testing resources can result in overlooked issues and post-migration problems
  • Downtime and Business Continuity
    Minimizing downtime during migration is critical to maintaining business operations and productivity. Careful planning, scheduling, and contingency measures are necessary to mitigate the impact on users and stakeholders.
  • Resource Constraints
    Limited resources, including budget, time, and expertise, can hinder the migration process. Adequate allocation of resources and stakeholder involvement are essential for successful outcomes

Migration Phases

  1. Planning and Preparation Phase
    • Assess current SharePoint environment and document requirements.
    • Define objectives, scope, and migration strategy.
    • Establish timelines, budget, and resources.
    • Identify stakeholders and communication channels.
    • Conduct risk assessment and mitigation planning.
  2. Analysis and Discovery Phase
    • Analyze existing SharePoint environment, including content, structure, and customizations.
    • Conduct inventory and assessment of data, sites, permissions, and configurations.
    • Identify dependencies, workflows, and integrations.
    • Perform user interviews and requirements gathering.
  3. Design and Architecture Phase
    • Develop a target architecture and migration plan.
    • Design information architecture, including site structure, content types, and metadata.
    • Determine migration approach (e.g., lift-and-shift, gradual migration, hybrid).
    • Define governance policies, security settings, and compliance requirements.
    • Plan for backup and disaster recovery. 
  1. Pre-Migration Preparation Phase
    • Clean up and optimize data, including content, metadata, and permissions.
    • Resolve any issues identified during the analysis phase.
    • Communicate migration plan and expectations to stakeholders.
    • Train users and administrators on the new SharePoint environment
  2. Data Migration Phase (The complex one.... we shall discuss this further in next section)
    • Migrate content, documents, lists, libraries, and other data from the source environment to the target environment.
    • Validate data integrity, including metadata, permissions, and relationships.
    • Monitor migration progress and address any issues or errors encountered.
  3. Configuration and Customization Phase
    • Configure the target SharePoint environment according to the design specifications.
    • Implement customizations, such as workflows, web parts, and branding.
    • Test functionality, performance, and compatibility with existing systems and integrations.
    • Address any gaps or discrepancies between the source and target environments. 
  1. Testing and Validation Phase
    • Conduct comprehensive testing of the migrated environment.
    • Validate data accuracy, functionality, and performance.
    • Test user scenarios, workflows, and integrations.
    • Identify and address any issues or discrepancies
  2. Deployment and Go-Live Phase
    • Prepare for final migration cutover.
    • Communicate deployment schedule and downtime to users.
    • Perform final data migration and configurations.
    • Verify readiness and conduct final validation tests.
    • Go live with the new SharePoint environment.
  3. Post-Migration Support and Optimization Phase
    • Provide support and assistance to users during the transition period.
    • Monitor system performance, user feedback, and adoption rates.
    • Address any post-migration issues or concerns.
    • Continuously optimize and refine the SharePoint environment based on feedback and usage patterns. 

Data Migration Phase Details

The sheer volume of data to be migrated can significantly impact the time required for this phase. Large organizations or those with extensive document repositories may have terabytes of data to transfer, which can take a considerable amount of time, especially if bandwidth is limited.

Data in SharePoint environments often includes various types of content, such as documents, lists, libraries, and custom metadata. Ensuring that all data is migrated accurately while preserving its structure, metadata, and relationships requires thorough planning and meticulous execution. 

Before migration, data often needs to be cleansed, organized, and prepared for transfer. This may involve removing duplicate or obsolete content, standardizing metadata, resolving naming conflicts, and ensuring compliance with governance policies.

Mapping data from the source environment to the target environment and transforming it as needed can be time-consuming. This process involves aligning fields, metadata, and content types between the source and target systems to ensure a smooth transition. 

After migration, extensive testing and validation are necessary to ensure that all data has been transferred accurately and that it functions as expected in the new environment. This may involve comparing source and target data, testing workflows and integrations, and validating permissions. 

In cases where a phased or incremental migration approach is used, the data migration phase may be prolonged as data is migrated in batches over time. This approach is often chosen to minimize disruption to users and mitigate risks. 

Where do we fail mostly in migration?

Insufficient Understanding of Requirements

Without a thorough understanding of the current environment, including content, structure, customizations, and user needs, it's challenging to develop a migration plan that addresses all necessary aspects. Failure to identify and document requirements accurately can lead to incomplete or inaccurate migrations

If the objectives and scope of the migration are not clearly defined from the outset, it becomes difficult to prioritize tasks, allocate resources effectively, and manage stakeholders' expectations. This can result in scope creep, delays, and increased costs. 

Data quality issues, such as duplicate content, inconsistent metadata, and outdated information, can significantly impact the success of the migration. Failure to assess and cleanse data properly before migration can result in data loss, corruption, or misclassification in the target environment.

Without identifying and mitigating potential risks associated with the migration, organizations are ill-prepared to handle unexpected challenges that may arise during the process. Lack of contingency plans can lead to disruptions, data loss, and project failure.

Effective communication with stakeholders, including end-users, administrators, IT teams, and executives, is essential for successful migration outcomes. Failure to engage stakeholders throughout the process can result in resistance, confusion, and dissatisfaction with the new environment. 

SharePoint migrations often involve complex technical challenges, such as compatibility issues, customizations, and integrations with other systems. Failure to assess and address these technical complexities can lead to performance issues, functionality gaps, and post-migration problems. 

Testing is critical to ensure that the migrated environment meets requirements, functions as expected, and is ready for production use. Without thorough testing and validation processes in place, organizations risk deploying a flawed or incomplete solution that may not meet user needs or business objectives. 

Migration Team

  1. Project Sponsor
    Provides executive-level support, secures funding, and champions the migration project within the organization. The project sponsor ensures alignment with strategic objectives and helps overcome any organizational barriers.
  2. Project Manager
    Leads the migration project, responsible for planning, coordination, communication, and overall project execution. The project manager ensures that the project stays on track, within budget, and meets its objectives while managing risks and addressing issues as they arise.
  3. Business Analysts
    Outline steps for preparing the existing SharePoint environment for migration.
    Include tasks such as data cleanup, permissions review, and user communication.
  4. IT Infrastructure Team
    Manages the underlying infrastructure, including servers, networks, and storage, to support the migration. The IT infrastructure team assesses the readiness of the infrastructure, plans for capacity and performance requirements, and ensures that technical prerequisites are met.
  5. SharePoint Administrators
    Administer the SharePoint environment, including configuration, maintenance, and support. SharePoint administrators are responsible for preparing the source and target environments for migration, managing permissions, and troubleshooting issues during migration
  6. Data Owners and Custodians
    Provide domain expertise and governance oversight for the data being migrated. Data owners and custodians are responsible for data quality, security, and compliance, ensuring that sensitive information is handled appropriately throughout the migration process.
  7. Content Owners and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)
    Understand the content being migrated and provide domain-specific knowledge to ensure that content is accurately categorized, tagged, and organized in the target environment. Content owners and SMEs may assist with data cleansing, validation, and testing.
  8. Vendor/Consultants
    Provide specialized expertise, tools, and support for specific aspects of the migration project. Vendors or consultants may assist with migration planning, tool selection, customization development, or other technical tasks based on their domain knowledge and experience.
  1. Application Developers
    Develop custom applications, workflows, and integrations within the SharePoint environment. Application developers ensure that customizations are compatible with the target environment and may be involved in refactoring or redesigning applications as needed during migration.
  2. Quality Assurance/Testers
    Conduct testing and validation activities to ensure that the migrated environment meets functional and performance requirements. Testers verify data integrity, functionality, and user acceptance through various testing methodologies, such as unit testing, integration testing, and user acceptance testing (UAT).
  3. Change Management and Training Team
    Develop change management strategies, communication plans, and training materials to facilitate user adoption and minimize resistance to change. Change management and training teams ensure that users are informed about the migration, understand how it impacts them, and are equipped with the knowledge and skills to use the new environment effectively.
  4. Legal/Compliance Team
    Ensure that the migration complies with relevant legal, regulatory, and compliance requirements, such as data privacy laws, industry standards, and internal policies. Legal and compliance teams may review migration plans, assess risks, and provide guidance on data handling and retention

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