Horton Scientific
Template9 min

Migration Cutover Runbook Template

A structured runbook template for Microsoft migration weekends, pilot waves, production cutovers, validation checkpoints, and hypercare.

Runbook sections

  • Scope and exclusions, stakeholders, escalation contacts, command center channel, freeze window, and communication schedule.
  • Pre-cutover validation, source backup/export status, tool readiness, identity readiness, DNS readiness, and go/no-go criteria.
  • Execution steps with owners, start times, dependencies, expected duration, verification method, and escalation path.
  • Rollback considerations, user communication triggers, post-cutover validation, known issues, and handoff notes.

Validation checkpoints

  • Authentication, access, mail flow, shared mailboxes, calendars, file access, permissions, Teams collaboration, OneDrive sync, workflows, forms, search, navigation, and business owner acceptance.
  • Power Apps and Power Automate validation for critical forms and workflows that users rely on during business operations.
  • Tool reports, item counts, error logs, skipped items, permission exceptions, and remediation tickets.

After cutover

  • Publish user instructions and support paths.
  • Track issues by severity, owner, workload, business impact, and resolution status.
  • Confirm business acceptance before closing the migration wave.
  • Update admin documentation, operational runbooks, known issues, and governance backlog.

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