Plan an ERP data migration without losing record ownership
By WorkRoot IT Solutions LLP ·
A practical ERP migration plan covering source records, mapping, reconciliation, access and cutover responsibilities.
Inventory records and their responsible owners
Plan ERP data migration around record ownership as well as database structure. Inventory each spreadsheet, database and application with its responsible team, then agree how identifiers, historical corrections and approvals will map into the new system. Resolve differences such as finance and operations using different supplier identifiers before writing import scripts, and keep business decisions with named owners.
Create a reviewable ERP migration mapping
Create a reviewable ERP migration mapping for every destination field, including its source, transformation and validation rule. Document how empty values, retired codes, duplicates and date formats are handled, and distinguish source-data corrections from transformations required only by the new system. Ask record owners to review examples; a successful import alone does not confirm that balances, statuses or reporting categories retain their meaning.
Rehearse and reconcile
Rehearse the ERP migration in an isolated environment with an appropriately protected dataset. Reconcile record counts and selected totals, then test complete workflows: open a migrated record, make an authorised change and produce the reports teams rely on. Log every discrepancy with an owner, decide which differences block cutover and investigate unexplained results even when an import reports success.
Agree cutover and recovery
Define when updates to the old system stop, who performs the final transfer and how late changes are handled. Name the people who confirm readiness and the point at which the new system becomes authoritative. Keep recovery steps and access to required historical records in the plan. Agree retention and deletion responsibilities for exports and temporary copies. Handover should include the reviewed mapping, reconciliation evidence, known exceptions and a support owner.