The Hidden Risks of Legacy Data Migration
While the importance of legacy migration is widely acknowledged, many organisations still underestimate the intricacies and potential pitfalls involved. These oversights can lead to delays, cost overruns, and compliance risks. In fact, McKinsey reports that 38% of companies experience migration delays of over a quarter, and overspend by an average of 14% annually due to inefficiencies.
Key risks include:
- Unclear ownership causing decision delays.
- Data fragmentation leading to incomplete views.
- Outdated formats requiring transformation effort.
- Compliance gaps such as GDPR violations risking fines.
Proactive identification through audits and stakeholder alignment is essential to mitigate these risks early.
Maintaining Operational Continuity
When migrating data from systems still in active use, a parallel approach can help maintain continuity. Running legacy and new systems side-by-side with real-time synchronisation allows for validation and rollback, minimising downtime and disruption.
Best Practices for Accuracy, Completeness, and Compliance
To ensure data integrity throughout the migration process:
- Conduct a comprehensive pre-migration audit to profile sources and flag issues.
- Define clear validation rules for accuracy and completeness.
- Use ETL tools for cleansing and automated testing.
- Apply embedded security controls like PII masking.
- Establish ongoing governance with dashboards and data stewards.
Handling Unstructured and Poorly Documented Data
Start with data discovery and inventory, followed by classification and profiling to identify critical assets. Cleanse and transform using ETL processes, validate iteratively through pilots and automated checks, and execute migration in phases with backups to minimise disruption.
Cross-Functional Collaboration Is Key
Successful migration depends on clearly defined roles across planning, execution, and monitoring. Strong collaboration between IT and business units ensures technical implementation aligns with operational needs, reducing friction and accelerating delivery.
Use Case: Billing Data Migration in the Energy Sector
We found during a complex billing data migration for a major energy company that deep domain knowledge was essential. The project involved consolidating multiple data sources into a centralised store on our Digital Layer and Calculation Engine platform. Energy data presents unique challenges, from varied meter types to inconsistent file formats and calculation rules. By capturing these nuances and applying a domain-informed strategy, we enabled a smooth transition with minimal operational impact.
Final Thoughts
Legacy data migration is more than a technical upgrade, it’s a strategic enabler. With the right strategy, tools, and cross-functional alignment, organisations can migrate confidently, avoid disruption, and unlock the full value of their data. At Abstract Group, we bring deep domain expertise, proven frameworks, and a commitment to operational excellence to every migration project.