CHECKLIST · April 2, 2026 · 8 min read

Cloud Migration Checklist for IT Admins (2026)

Every successful cloud migration follows a structured plan. Use this checklist to ensure nothing is missed when migrating files between cloud platforms.

☐ Phase 1: Planning

Identify all data sources (Google Drive, SharePoint, Dropbox, file servers)
Inventory total data volume (run a discovery scan)
Map source locations to destination locations
Identify stakeholders and get sign-off on the migration plan
Set a migration window (weekends, after hours for minimal impact)
Estimate costs: data volume × price per GB

☐ Phase 2: Preparation

Create destination infrastructure (SharePoint sites, Teams, Shared Drives)
Set up credentials with proper permissions (admin consent for OAuth)
Configure Azure AD app registrations or Google service accounts
Test credentials by running a small scan
Define file exclusion rules (skip .tmp, .log, node_modules, etc.)
Plan permission mapping (who maps to whom across tenants)

☐ Phase 3: Pilot Migration

Select a small, representative data set (100-500 files)
Run a COPY migration (keep source intact)
Verify files at the destination: correct names, sizes, permissions
Check that Google Docs export correctly (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)
Test folder structure preservation
Measure transfer speed and estimate full migration duration

☐ Phase 4: Full Migration

Notify users that migration is starting
Run the full migration in COPY mode first
Monitor progress in real-time (live dashboard)
Check for failed files and retry them
Run a DELTA sync to catch files modified during migration
Verify total file counts match between source and destination

☐ Phase 5: Verification & Cutover

Download the CSV report for audit trail
Spot-check critical files (executive documents, shared team files)
Verify permissions are correct (shared files accessible to right users)
Update bookmarks, shortcuts, and integrations to point to new location
Communicate cutover to users with new access instructions
Keep source data for 30-90 days as rollback safety net

☐ Phase 6: Cleanup

Decommission old platform accounts or reduce licenses
Archive migration reports for compliance records
Revoke migration tool credentials (remove app registrations)
Delete source data after retention period (if using MOVE mode, already done)
Document lessons learned for future migrations

Tools That Help

MigrationFox covers phases 2-5 in a single platform: provisioning, discovery scans, migration with real-time monitoring, delta sync, and CSV/HTML reports. Start free with 5 GB.