Chapter 11

Moving From Your Old System

Plan the move, decide what to bring and what to leave behind, export and map your data, run a test, handle cutover day, and get through the first 30 days.

6 lessons · about 37 minutes of reading

Lessons

1. 1Planning the MoveMost moves go wrong in the planning, not the import. Here is how to name an owner, pick a date, list your data and build a simple six-week plan.6 min read
2. 2What to Bring and What to Leave BehindYou don't have to move everything. Sort your records into bring, archive and leave, and start in the new system with data you can trust.6 min read
3. 3Exporting and Mapping Your DataGet your data out, keep a clean original, and write a simple sheet that shows where every column goes. This is the unglamorous step that makes the rest work.7 min read
4. 4A Test RunImport a small, awkward sample first, check it closely, and fix what breaks. A test run costs an afternoon and can save you weeks of cleanup.6 min read
5. 5Cutover DayCutover day is the moment the new system becomes the truth. Here is a simple schedule, how to freeze the old system, and what to do if it goes wrong.6 min read
6. 6The First 30 DaysGoing live is the start of the hard part. Here is what to do in weeks one to four, what to resist adding, and when you can finally close the old system.6 min read