New features, improved capabilities, and enhanced web content management system of SharePoint 2013 has triggered migration from earlier versions to the new version. Many organizations have already made the switch to the new Microsoft platform and are sharing their user experience about the new features and capabilities.
Perhaps you’re interested in migrating to SharePoint 2013, but you’re concerned about your farms and mission-critical data. You’re not alone; so many organizations are concerned too. However, a good knowledge of the best practices for a SharePoint migration simplifies the entire process. The first point is realizing that your SharePoint migration must be planned from start to finish. Here is how to start your SharePoint migration planning:
Review Your Existing Governance Plan
Governance regulates how you use SharePoint for storage via basic set of rules and how it should be used to meet the goals of business activities. Governance limits the possibility of experiencing the “bucket full of chaos” (BFOC). As you prepare for a SharePoint migration, carefully audit your current governance and make up your mind on what to retain or abandon. If your governance is in a poor state, you have the chance to fix it before migrating to a new platform. Clean up your farm, prune and integrate your content before the migration.
Establish New Governance Plan
After a careful review of your existing governance you need to establish a new plan for the new SharePoint farm to define the parameter of the migration. Your new governance structure should be based on a careful analysis of your business workflows and how the entire process fits into SharePoint. Ensure the new governance is aimed at simplifying your entire workflows (requirements and expectations) via SharePoint.
Furthermore, carefully analyze how your information is arranged and how users will discover it (information architecture). If you realize your information architecture is performing below par, you can create an improved structure before the migration. The entire governance migration plan should involve fixing sites that consist of heavy custom code. The less customization you have on your SharePoint farm, the easier it is to migrate.
Create an Effective Communication Strategy
Your intention to migrate to a new SharePoint platform shouldn’t be a secret. Your site administrators, user base, and stakeholders must be aware of the plan and the roles they are expected and required to play. Ensure they are all aware that the migration cannot start and end until they play their parts of trimming information and ensuring the site is set for migration. Set realistic deadlines for each department to complete its job and communicate the entire migration plan effectively.
Assess and Conduct an Inventory of Existing SharePoint System
Don’t judge what is happening in your current data environment based on assumption. Rather, carefully assess the state of your farm and beyond SharePoint for relevant data that can fit into the new platform you want to migrate to. Assess documents and data that include collaboration platforms, project management plans, enterprise content management platforms, business intelligence products, outside sources that are crucial as part of consolidation etc. Also, conduct an inventory of your existing SharePoint system. It is crucial to understand what is happening in your farm before migration or you may run into trouble during the process.
Consider the Best Migration Approach for Your Organization
Microsoft SharePoint 2013 offers two migration options to choose from. The first is the Upgrade via third-party tools, while the second is the Database attach upgrade. However, you may opt for one approach or combine both. But whichever you choose, ensure the approach suits your organization needs.
Check SharePoint 2013 Technical Requirements
SharePoint 2013 technical requirements are different from those of the previous versions. Before you migrate, carefully examine all aspects of the technical requirements of the new version. See the minimum requirements for SQL Server and Windows as well as the minimum software requirements, and Hardware requirements (Processor, RAM and Disk). Ensure you have the necessary requirements in place before the migration.
Experience a Successful SharePoint Migration with Affirma
Affirma is a Microsoft Gold Certified SharePoint partner and has helped hundreds of clients with successful SharePoint projects including migration, re-designs, integration, or custom web parts. At Affirma, we plan and execute all aspects of SharePoint 2013 migration, and we are proud to be Microsoft SharePoint partner.
Affirma’s track record of customer satisfaction is a proof of our expertise. In 2014, 167 out of 169 project customers surveyed responded that they were “Likely” or “Very Likely” to work with Affirma again. That’s a 98.8% satisfaction rating! We offer 100% result-oriented solutions for SharePoint. Contact us now!
