Top 10 Pitfalls in Cloud Migration and How to Avoid Them

Abstract

Cloud migration offers organizations transformative potential for agility, scalability, and innovation, yet the journey is fraught with challenges that can derail even well-planned initiatives. Organizations frequently encounter pitfalls, including underestimated legacy system complexity, inadequate cost modeling, ineffective migration strategies, neglected security considerations, and skills gaps. Additional obstacles arise from poor data migration planning, insufficient governance frameworks, overlooked performance considerations, inadequate change management, and missed opportunities to leverage cloud-native capabilities. This article examines these common pitfalls based on empirical evidence and provides strategic approaches to navigate these obstacles. By understanding these challenges and implementing proactive strategies, organizations can accelerate their cloud transformation while minimizing disruption and maximizing business value.