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.