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Workshop 2: Workload Planning

Workshop 2: Workload Planning

This workshop guide provides a comprehensive framework for conducting the Workload Planning workshop using Dr Migrate’s assessment and planning features. Duration: 1 hours

Overview

Building on the foundations established in Workshop 1, this session focuses on detailed workload planning and migration strategy development using Dr Migrate’s advanced planning capabilities. The workshop leverages the platform’s integrated assessment tools to transform high-level goals into actionable migration plans through detailed application analysis and strategy development.

App Strategies
Strategic Planning
 Modernization Targets
Future State
 Migration Planning
Execution Framework

Workshop Objectives

  • Develop detailed application migration strategies using Dr Migrate’s assessment framework
  • Define modernization targets and approaches using the platform’s analysis tools
  • Create preliminary wave plans with the Wave Planning feature
  • Establish TCO baselines using built-in calculators

Expected Outcomes

  • Documented application strategies in Dr Migrate
  • Modernization roadmap with defined targets
  • Initial wave planning in the platform
  • Preliminary TCO analysis results

Pre-Workshop Preparation

Tool Setup
  • Enable advanced assessment mode Configure assessment templates Verify user access levels Test TCO calculator access
 Required Materials
  • Updated application inventory from Dr Migrate Technical documentation Assessment templates from platform Business motivation responses
 Participant List
  • Application owners and SMEs Enterprise architects Technical leads Business stakeholders Infrastructure team

Workshop Structure

The workshop utilizes Dr Migrate’s integrated assessment and planning tools to guide decision-making and document outcomes.

App Strategies (45 minutes)

Use Dr Migrate’s Application Strategy module to guide the assessment process.
Strategy Development Process

Using the App Strategy Module:

  • Access the Application Strategy section
  • Review TIME methodology guidance
  • Use the pre-filled strategy matrix template
  • Document decisions in the platform
  • Generate strategy reports

Key Activities:

  • Application categorization using templates
  • Pattern identification
  • Stakeholder input capture
App Strategies are recommended but not essential. Focus on applications where customers have strong opinions and insights. The template is downloadable and pre-filled with currently mapped applications. Use this to populate App Strategies in bulk.
TIME Methodology Framework

Strategic Horizons:

  • TIME: 2-4 year strategic horizon
  • 6R: 1-2 year tactical horizon

TIME Categories:

  • Tolerate: Maintain current state

    • Applications that are fit for purpose
    • No immediate investment needed
    • Regular review required
    • Limited to Retain or Rehost treatments

  • Invest: Enhance capabilities

    • Applications with high business value
    • Technical improvements needed
    • Strategic investment required
    • Multiple treatment options available

  • Migrate: Move to cloud

    • Applications ready for cloud
    • Business value justifies move
    • Technical compatibility exists
    • All 6R treatments possible

  • Eliminate: Decommission

    • Applications with low value
    • Technical debt or risk
    • No future investment planned
    • Focus on data retention

Treatment Alignment:

  • Review potential conflicts between TIME and 6R
  • Document rationale for treatment decisions
  • Consider business priorities
  • Evaluate technical constraints

Modernization Targets (45 minutes)

Leverage the Modernization Targets feature to define and document future state possibilities.
Platform Services Assessment

End-of-Life Management:

  • Operating Systems

    • Identify unsupported versions
    • Plan upgrade paths
    • Consider cloud alternatives
    • Document dependencies

  • Databases

    • Review version support
    • Evaluate migration options
    • Plan data migration
    • Consider PaaS alternatives

Modernization Opportunities:

  • Data Services

    • SQL Server to Azure SQL
    • Oracle to Azure Database
    • NoSQL to Cosmos DB
    • Data Warehouse to Synapse

  • Web Applications

    • IIS to App Service
    • Java to Azure Spring Apps
    • PHP to App Service
    • Node.js to App Service

  • Application Services

    • Windows Services to Functions
    • Batch Jobs to Logic Apps
    • Message Queues to Service Bus
    • File Processing to Blob Storage
Cloud Service Selection

Service Categories:

  • Platform Services
    • Backup (Recovery Services Vaults)
    • Domain Services (AD, Entra)
    • Storage Solutions
    • Secret Management (Key Vault)
    • Remote Access (AVD, Bastion)
    • Patching and Monitoring
    • Security Center
    • Email and Collaboration
    • Infrastructure as Code
    • Code Management

Selection Criteria:

  • Technical compatibility
  • Business requirements
  • Cost implications
  • Operational impact
  • Security considerations
  • Compliance needs

Implementation Strategy:

  • Service prioritization
  • Migration sequencing
  • Integration planning
  • Testing approach
  • Rollout strategy

Platform Activities:

  • Run the Modernization Targets Assistant
  • Review automated mapping results
  • Modify decisions as needed
  • Discuss and document modernization choices
  • Map cloud service requirements
  • Discuss compliance needs
The Modernization Targets Assistant will automatically map applications to appropriate modernization paths. Encourage customers can review and modify these decisions as needed.

Migration Planning (45 minutes)

Utilize the 6R Treatment and Wave Planning features to develop the migration approach.
Application Sizing Assessment

Using the Application Sizing Module:

  • Access the Application Sizing section
  • Review complexity ratings for each application
  • Analyze migration effort indicators
  • Consider technical dependencies
  • Evaluate business impact

Key Metrics:

  • Application complexity score
  • Migration effort estimation
  • Technical dependencies count
  • Business criticality rating
  • Risk assessment factors
The Application Sizing module provides critical insights into the level of effort required for each application’s migration. This information is essential for accurate wave planning and resource allocation.
Wave Planning Process

Using Wave Planning Tools:

  • Access the Wave Planning module
  • Use the AI Assistant to generate a wave plan based on application affinity and complexity wave planning mapping
  • Review and modify wave suggestions
  • Set wave criteria
  • Generate timeline views

Key Features:

  • AI-powered dependency analysis
  • Automated wave plan generation
  • Timeline visualization

TCO Analysis (45 minutes)

Guide the customer through the Advanced Report’s TCO analysis sections to demonstrate cost savings and optimization opportunities.
TCO Summary Review

Key Focus Areas:

  • Overall scope of assessment (applications, servers, storage)
  • Current on-premises costs vs. projected cloud hosting costs
  • Annual savings breakdown
  • Key savings contributors (right-sizing, reserved instances, hybrid benefits)
TCO Summary View

Example TCO Summary showing cost comparison and savings breakdown

Azure Cost Analysis

Review Components:

  • Compute costs breakdown
  • PaaS service projections
  • Storage requirements and costs
  • Backup, DR, and networking expenses
  • Total cost comparison with percentage savings

Highlight Assumptions:

  • Reserved Instance selections
  • Hybrid Benefit applications
  • Treatment-specific configurations (Rehost, Replatform, etc.)
  • Production vs. Non-Production settings
IaaS Cost Comparison

Walk Through Scenarios:

  • As-Sized PAYG baseline costs
  • Impact of Azure Hybrid Benefits
  • Reserved Instance savings (1-year vs. 3-year)
  • Right-sizing cost reductions
  • Combined optimization savings
IaaS Cost Comparison

Monthly Azure costs comparing different optimization scenarios

Intel Optimization Benefits

Demonstrate Optimization Impacts:

  • Core reduction opportunities
  • Database license savings
  • Performance improvements by application
  • Server-specific optimization recommendations
  • Overall cost and performance benefits
Intel Optimization Benefits

Performance and cost benefits from Intel-optimized configurations

Ensure all cost assumptions and configuration choices are validated with the customer, as these significantly impact the final TCO calculations and savings projections.

Accessing the Report:

  • Navigate to the Insights section
  • Select Advanced Migration Insights
  • Allow 5-10 minutes for report generation
  • Use Power BI interactive features to explore details

Essential Points to Cover:

  • Annual savings potential
  • Key optimization levers
  • Performance improvement opportunities
  • Next steps for optimization

Migration Decision Workshop (45 minutes)

This section focuses on practical application of the frameworks using Dr Migrate’s Advanced Report feature to analyze specific applications and validate migration decisions.
Application Review Process

Consultant Actions:

  1. Request customer to identify 2-3 representative applications for detailed review
  2. Access Advanced Report in Dr Migrate
  3. Review key data points:
    • Application inventory details
    • Dependencies and integrations
    • Application Complexity
    • Application TCO
    • Overall TCO
    • Business value indicators

Key Discussion Points:

  • Validate inventory mapping, adjust as required.
  • Review automated recommendations
  • Discuss TIME categorization
  • Evaluate 6R treatment options
  • Consider modernization opportunities
Stakeholder Engagement

Key Stakeholders:

  • Application owners and SMEs
  • Enterprise architects
  • Technical leads
  • Business stakeholders
  • Infrastructure team
  • Security and compliance teams

Engagement Process:

  1. Initial Review

    • Present treatment recommendations
    • Share rationale and evidence
    • Gather initial feedback
    • Document concerns and questions

  2. Validation Workshop

    • Deep dive into specific applications
    • Review technical constraints
    • Discuss business impacts
    • Address stakeholder concerns
    • Document decisions and rationale

  3. Endorsement Process

    • Present final recommendations
    • Address remaining concerns
    • Secure stakeholder sign-off
    • Document approvals
Treatment Documentation

Required Documentation:

  • Application inventory with treatments
  • TIME and 6R mappings
  • Treatment rationale
  • Technical constraints
  • Business impacts
  • Risk assessment
  • Cost implications
  • Timeline considerations

Communication Materials:

  • Executive summary
  • Detailed treatment matrix
  • Cost-benefit analysis
  • Risk register
  • Implementation timeline
  • Resource requirements
Treatment Validation

Validation Criteria:

  • Technical feasibility
  • Business alignment
  • Cost effectiveness
  • Risk mitigation
  • Timeline viability
  • Resource availability

Review Process:

  1. Technical Validation

    • Architecture review
    • Dependency analysis
    • Performance assessment
    • Security evaluation
    • Compliance check

  2. Business Validation

    • Value assessment
    • Impact analysis
    • Stakeholder alignment
    • Risk acceptance
    • Cost approval

  3. Implementation Validation

    • Resource planning
    • Timeline verification
    • Dependency mapping
    • Risk mitigation
    • Success criteria
Sample Selection
  • Choose diverse application types Include critical systems Consider different complexity levels Select from various business units
 Decision Criteria
  • Business value alignment Technical compatibility Resource requirements Risk assessment Timeline constraints
It may be beneficial to take some time to focus on specific applications that the customer wants to look into at a deeper level, you can scope the report to highlight the insights for that application.
Decision Framework

Review Process:

  1. Present Advanced Report findings
  2. Validate TIME assessment results
  3. Confirm 6R treatment recommendations
  4. Document stakeholder feedback
  5. Finalize migration decisions

Key Outcomes:

  • Validated migration approach
  • Documented rationale
  • Stakeholder endorsement
  • Next step actions

Summary Document Preparation (30 minutes)

Create a comprehensive summary of the workshop decisions and next steps using Dr Migrate’s reporting features.
Workshop Outputs
  • Application strategy decisions TIME and 6R mappings Modernization targets Migration waves Stakeholder actions
 Next Steps
  • Microsoft/Partner engagement Detailed planning initiation Resource allocation Timeline development

Workshop Deliverables

Strategy Documentation
  • TIME methodology outcomes 6R treatment decisions Modernization opportunities Wave planning draft
 Application Portfolio
  • Azure-ready applications Modernization targets Dependency mappings Resource requirements
 Partner Engagement
  • Microsoft workload review Partner selection criteria Engagement timeline Resource planning

Consultant Guidance

  • Focus on applications with clear Azure migration potential
  • Use Advanced Report to validate decisions
  • Document all assumptions and constraints
  • Ensure stakeholder alignment on decisions
  • Prepare for Microsoft/Partner engagement
Critical items for successful workshop completion:
  • Complete inventory validation
  • Stakeholder availability
  • Technical documentation
  • Business motivation alignment
  • Resource commitment
Workshop success indicators:
  • Identified Azure migration candidates
  • Validated migration strategies
  • Stakeholder endorsement
  • Clear next steps for Microsoft/Partner engagement
  • Documented decisions and rationale

Post-Workshop Follow-up

Ensure all workshop outputs are properly documented and distributed to maintain momentum and enable stakeholders to proceed with their responsibilities.

Documentation Distribution

Workshop Summary
  • Workshop minutes and decisions Application strategy matrix Modernization roadmap Wave planning draft TCO analysis results
 Supporting Materials
  • TIME assessment templates 6R framework guide Technical requirements Risk assessment logs Action item tracker

Stakeholder Communications

Communication Plan

Distribution List:

  • Workshop attendees
  • Application owners
  • Technical leads
  • Business stakeholders
  • Program sponsors
  • Infrastructure team

Key Information to Share:

  1. Workshop outcomes and decisions
  2. Individual application strategies
  3. Next phase timeline
  4. Action items and owners
  5. Follow-up meeting schedule

Action Items Tracking

Immediate Actions
  • Distribute workshop summary Share assessment results Schedule follow-ups Confirm decisions
 Short-term Tasks
  • Complete assessments Validate strategies Begin detailed planning Engage partners
 Long-term Planning
  • Finalize migration waves Resource planning Budget alignment Execution readiness

Follow-up Sessions

Schedule these key follow-up meetings to maintain momentum and address any questions or concerns.
Recommended Sessions

  1. 48-Hour Checkpoint (30 minutes)

    • Review workshop outputs
    • Address immediate questions
    • Confirm action items
    • Validate next steps

  2. Week 1 Review (1 hour)

    • Deep dive into strategies
    • Technical validation
    • Resource planning
    • Risk assessment

  3. 2-Week Planning (2 hours)

    • Detailed migration planning
    • Partner engagement
    • Timeline development
    • Budget refinement

Resource Access

Platform Access
  • Assessment dashboards Report access Template library Documentation portal
 Support Channels
  • Technical support contacts Knowledge base access Community forums Training materials

Next Phase Preparation

Critical items to address before proceeding to detailed migration planning:
Preparation Checklist

  1. Documentation Review

    • Workshop outputs validated
    • Strategies documented
    • Decisions recorded
    • Actions assigned

  2. Stakeholder Alignment

    • Business sign-off obtained
    • Technical approval secured
    • Resource commitments confirmed
    • Timeline agreed

  3. Technical Readiness

    • Assessment data complete
    • Dependencies mapped
    • Risks documented
    • Tools configured

  4. Partner Engagement

    • Selection criteria defined
    • Initial contact made
    • Requirements shared
    • Timeline aligned
For detailed guidance on next steps, refer to the Advanced Report documentation and migration planning features in Dr Migrate.