Using Atlassian solutions delivers powerful capabilities for your DevOps projects, but relying on an on-prem infrastructure just might be slowing your teams down. In fact, according to Google, high performing DevOps teams are 24 times more likely to use the cloud.

So how can you know if moving to Atlassian Cloud is right for your environment? What should you consider before making the move? Here are seven tips to keep in mind:

  • It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint. Yes, experts can help you migrate to the cloud with the least amount of impact, but a successful migration takes a great degree of planning. While some migrations may be a sprint, most are more like a marathon. You need to properly assess everything from your on-prem health and on-prem applications all the way up to your vendor apps. Atlassian provides excellent migration tools to help, particularly in migrating your data to the cloud, but these tools aren’t necessarily applicable across the board for everyone.
  • Don’t Fall in Love with the Easy Button! DevOps projects are complex. Many times, based on your data set, the out of the box migration tools won’t be applicable. A different approach needs to be taken. These tools can be used as part of an overall strategy but each migration should be use case driven. By simply using migration tools as the do-all, you may be making an improper assumption in your journey to the cloud. Third party vendor apps can fall outside of the purview of Atlassian migration tools and often need their own distinct migration paths.
  • Test the Landing – But Not in Production! Testing in the cloud will not be the same as in your on-prem environment. It’s important to remember that once data and applications have been moved to the cloud, they are all production environments. As such, testing practices that may have worked on-prem need to be optimized for cloud-deployed apps. You need to make accommodations and have the necessary discussions around what the test environment needs to look like and what the cost of that test environment may be in the cloud so you can keep your production environment pristine. Also consider what apps will be part of that test environment as they can absolutely affect your cloud cost and functionality.
  • Trust, but Verify. Not every app or data set should move to the cloud. Migrating to Atlassian Cloud is the perfect time to audit your on-prem instances and understand what the data really looks like. Don’t just assume everything will move. For example, how many attachments are out there and how does that affect the overall size of the backup or restore process? It’s best to really know your apps and what users need so that you’re not taking trash into the cloud. Missing this step will cost you long term and can impact your overall migration time.
  • Be In-the-Know When it Comes to Your Apps. Remember, not all on-prem apps can move to the cloud either. In some cases, there are vendor apps that may be used on-prem that simply are not available in the cloud. These instances need to be identified early in the process and evaluated up front so that concessions, if necessary, can be made.
  • Flip the Caution Lights On. Making the move to the cloud changes a lot of dynamics for your end user community and you need to warn them of what’s up ahead. Have a comprehensive communications plan to help them understand what difference may be in store and what those changes may encompass. Customers that are the most successful have a very good communications strategy and are out in front of the migration making sure that users understand what’s coming and how it may be different.
  • Step Up to the Concession Stand. Moving to the cloud is not a simple, point-in-time project. It’s a process that will continue to evolve – one that shouldn’t be rushed. Be prepared to embrace trade-offs to be successful. It can take a little time to hit all the major milestones but addressing these mile markers strategically will ensure migration success. It’s the best way to ensure a proper experience for everyone.

To avoid challenges when migrating to the cloud, it really helps to have an expert that knows not only what to look for, but where to look for it. It’s always wise to ask for help. Listen to more tips and insights in this podcast:

Cloud Migration: Things to consider when moving to the cloud and understanding expectations – Forty8Fifty Labs

It walks through the planning an assessment process for your Atlassian Cloud migration to properly align it with your business and the infrastructure supporting the business. As a result, you, and your users, will have a great experience when transitioning to the cloud.