Practical Data Migration The proven, business-first methodology for enterprise data migrations.

By Johny Morris, published by the British Computer Society.

Abstract blueprint illustration of data moving from a source system to a target system, with small figures representing the people and organisations guiding the migration

The Four Principles of PDM

Every successful data migration rests on these foundations.

Business First

Data migration decisions are driven by business outcomes, not technical convenience. The business owns the data - and the migration.

Engage the Experts

The people who know the data best must be involved from day one. Subject matter experts are not optional - they are essential.

Fit-for-Purpose Quality

Data quality is defined by what the target system needs, not abstract perfection. Migration is not a data cleansing project.

Measure Everything

Progress, quality, and completeness are always quantified, never assumed. If you can't measure it, you can't manage it.

A proven methodology for every data migration

Practical Data Migration (PDM) is a structured, business-first approach to planning and executing data migration projects - from initial strategy through to post-migration validation.

Developed by Johny Morris and published by the British Computer Society, PDM has helped organisations across industries deliver migrations on time, on budget, and with confidence.

Explore the Methodology
PDM end-to-end process diagram showing the nine modules across two workstreams

"You'll spend more time on a data migration working with your business partners and colleagues than you will with the actual technology."

Johny Morris, Author, Practical Data Migration Watch the presentation →

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Practical Data Migration by Johny Morris, published by the British Computer Society.

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From the Blog

Practical insights on data migration from the field.

Data management in large projects

Getting data management right on large projects means establishing a single point of truth for your data structures - and asking not 'is this the correct version?' but 'is this the appropriate version?'

Building data ownership

Data ownership is a metaphor, not a legal statement. Getting it right on a migration project means engaging business stakeholders as partners from day one - at both operational and senior levels.