To best understand why Data Migration Testing (and Data Integration) is important, it is key to have a full understanding of Data Migration itself. This includes why it would be performed, how it would be performed, and the impact the testing has on the migration, as well as the Data Migration tool itself.
Data Migration is a process that includes moving data between formats, computer systems, and storage types.
The reasons to migrate include:
Improved technology often means business is thriving and is improving
alongside its competitors. That said, the act of migrating data can leave previous information vulnerable. If critical data is lost, the business could be left at a standstill.
Migration Testing verifies the process of migrating the data from the legacy, or current system, to the new destination system. It does so with limited downtime and no loss of data or issues with data integrity. Furthermore, it does so while simultaneously making sure that all aspects — both functional and non-functional — of the application, are met post-migration. These outputs are all imperative to the success of any Data Migration. The data needs to be moved, maintain its function, and needs to be intact when it arrives at its destination.
As a first step, it makes sense to test the migration process or at least part of it without putting any actual data at risk. This allows you to both test and validate the migration plan.
During the migration testing, you should evaluate whether any modifications are required to the migration tools, the timeline, or the amount of data being migrated in each session. It isn’t just the data that may not go as planned. Many of these migration functions may also need to be tweaked before the move takes place.
Successful testing ultimately leads to being able to make use of automated migration, which allows you to free up physical bodies from having to do the work. It is essentially working out any potential risks before running the actual migration.
There are several steps taken to perform a successful test of the data
migration, whether carried out alone using the latest data migration software or through professional data migration services. The
process includes:
There are a few preparatory steps that are imperative before engaging in
data migration or its testing to maintain the data’s integrity should anything
go wrong including:
As discussed, the migration itself can take place for several different reasons. The most common of these reasons include getting rid of old technology, consolidating two or more systems, and optimizing performance. It is a crucial function that allows data to be maintained while being transferred to a newer, improved system. Migration Testing is employed before any automated migration takes place.
Given that it involves all the data owned and used by a business or
organization, testing the migration process is crucial to its success and to
maintaining the integrity of the data being moved. It is crucial to minimize,
or eliminate altogether, any potential issues through the testing phase. These issues might include:
While avoiding the above issues is crucial to a successful migration,
there are other reasons as well including:
Data can be migrated manually, but it can also be moved using an
automated function. By performing data migration testing, automated migration can be used more efficiently and confidently.
A common reference to performing a data migration task is the function
of ETL, which means Extract, Transform and Load. This ETL function sees
extracted data being fixed and then placed into the target data warehouse.
There are some challenges that could arise during data migration
testing, which is precisely why the testing itself is so crucial. Some of these challenges include:
By uncovering these issues during the manual testing phase, they can be
fixed before an automated system starts the actual migration. Ultimately,
catching data corruption before it happens can be priceless.
Testing the mapping or path of data is another crucial component. Finding
any unintended modifications in that data mapping can also cure a major
headache during the automated phase.
Data is a critical component to the success of any business. That data
needs to be easily accessible and found in its rightful place, on the right
the system, and using the correct optimization.
Maintaining its integrity is of the highest importance. While moving
information and data from one system to another can be an absolute necessity, especially when it improves overall performance, but there are risks.
During every single migration, there stands the possibility of data
corruption or missing data. There are other issues that arise as well.
Functionality can be lost. Features may no longer be available. The time it
takes to perform a given function may be different than it was on the legacy system. All these issues can arise during migration and they can all be detrimental to a business’ short-term functionality.
To avoid these risks as much as possible, do not take shortcuts when it comes to a data migration strategy and protecting every aspect of data. Data migration and data cleansing are crucial business processes. The testing that is performed on data migration ensures that data is kept intact and readily available.