Jira Cloud Migration Guide: Benefits, Challenges, and Key Considerations
Jira Cloud Migration Guide: Benefits, Challenges, and Key Considerations
Content
Cloud adoption is becoming increasingly important for businesses as they look to improve efficiency and reduce infrastructure costs.
For organizations using Jira, migrating from Jira Server or Data Center to Jira Cloud has become a necessary step to improve workflows and gain access to new features. Jira Cloud migration offers several benefits, such as better flexibility, lower IT costs, and easier integration with other cloud services.
In this blog, we will explain what Jira Cloud migration is, the key benefits, challenges, and considerations involved in migrating to Jira Cloud.
What is Jira Cloud Migration?
Jira Cloud migration involves moving your organization's Jira data, configurations, projects, and workflows from Jira Server or Jira Data Center to Jira Cloud. This transition allows businesses to take full advantage of the cloud environment, which offers increased flexibility, lower infrastructure costs, and automatic updates.
The migration process typically involves several stages:
Planning: Assess your current Jira environment to understand the data, configurations, and workflows that need to be migrated.
Data Preparation: Clean and consolidate your data to ensure that only the relevant information is transferred to Jira Cloud.
Execution: Use tools like the Jira Cloud Migration Assistant to facilitate the migration and transfer data efficiently.
Testing and Validation: Run test migrations and perform extensive validation to ensure that the data and workflows are correctly transferred and function as expected in Jira Cloud.
Comparison: Jira Cloud vs. Jira Server/Data Center
What Are the Benefits of Jira Cloud Migration?
Migrating to Jira Cloud provides a wealth of benefits that significantly enhance the efficiency, flexibility, and scalability of organizations.
Below are the key advantages that businesses can expect when making the transition from Jira Server or Data Center to Jira Cloud:
1. Enhanced Scalability
Jira Cloud automatically scales with your organization’s needs.
As your business grows, Jira Cloud allows you to add users, projects, and teams without additional infrastructure investment.
Unlike Jira Server or Data Center, there is no need to manually upgrade or maintain servers to accommodate increased usage.
Provides flexibility to scale without causing performance issues, ensuring smooth operations as your organization changes.
2. Significant Cost Savings
No upfront costs for hardware or server infrastructure, reducing capital expenditure.
Transition to a subscription-based model, which offers predictable and manageable operational costs.
Lower IT overhead, as there is no need to maintain physical infrastructure or worry about server management.
Automatic updates and patch management by Atlassian mean fewer resources spent on system maintenance.
3. Automatic Updates and Maintenance
Jira Cloud is automatically updated with the latest features, security patches, and bug fixes by Atlassian.
No manual intervention is required for updates or system upgrades, which minimizes downtime.
Always up-to-date with the latest tools, improving security and functionality without manual effort from your IT team.
Reduces the burden on IT staff to handle system maintenance, freeing up resources for other important tasks.
4. Integration with Cloud-Native Services
Jira Cloud integrates effortlessly with cloud-native services.
These integrations streamline collaboration and project management across different platforms, making it easier for teams to work together.
Seamless workflows across tools enable enhanced productivity and fewer silos in operations.
Integration with popular cloud services improves the user experience and connects teams without having to switch between multiple tools.
5. Improved Flexibility and Remote Accessibility
Access Jira Cloud from anywhere, whether your teams are working from the office, home, or on the go.
No dependency on physical infrastructure, ensuring remote accessibility for team members in different locations and time zones.
Offers flexibility to adjust to the growing demands of remote work environments.
Teams can collaborate in real time, improving communication and project tracking across geographies.
Are There Any Drawbacks to Consider?
While Jira Cloud meets the needs of most businesses, there are a few points to keep in mind. Some companies, particularly those with strict security requirements or a need for full control over their systems, may need to weigh a few important considerations.
Less Control Over Data Security: Since your data is stored on Atlassian’s servers, you may not be able to apply customized security settings or manage storage the way you could with an in-house setup. This might be a concern for teams working in regulated industries or with sensitive information.
Limited Access to Server Settings: You won’t have access to backend infrastructure or system-level configurations. If your teams are used to adjusting server performance or making technical customizations, this change might feel restrictive.
These points don’t outweigh the benefits for most organizations, but they’re worth reviewing to make sure Jira Cloud matches your specific needs.
What Are All The Challenges In Jira Cloud Migration?
Migrating to Jira Cloud can present some challenges that need careful attention. Below, we’ll look at the common issues businesses may face and ways to handle them effectively.
1. Data Issues During Migration
Moving data from Jira Server or Jira Data Center to Jira Cloud can cause problems, especially when it comes to data not fitting correctly in the new system. This can involve missing information, incorrectly mapped data, or fields that don't show up the same way in Jira Cloud.
Solution:
Check the data before migrating and make sure everything is in order.
Test the migration with a small amount of data first to make sure it transfers without problems.
Remove any unnecessary data before starting the process to keep things simple.
2. System Downtime
Migrating to Jira Cloud often leads to temporary downtime, meaning teams won’t have access to Jira during the migration process. This could cause delays and interruptions in ongoing projects.
Solution:
Break the migration into smaller phases, so it’s easier to manage and doesn’t disrupt the entire system at once.
Migrate when fewer people are using the system, such as over the weekend or during low-traffic hours.
In case something goes wrong, have a backup plan ready to revert to the previous system.
3. Custom Field Issues
Jira Server/Data Center often uses custom fields and settings that may not work the same way in Jira Cloud. This could result in fields not transferring properly or missing data after the migration.
Solution:
Go through custom fields and settings before starting the migration to ensure they will transfer correctly.
After the migration, check that all custom fields are correctly mapped and show the right data.
Some fields may need to be recreated in Jira Cloud to match the previous setup.
4. Resistance to Change from Teams
Team members may be used to the old Jira interface and workflows and could be reluctant to switch to Jira Cloud. This could lead to a slower transition or mistakes in the early stages.
Solution:
Ensure team members understand the benefits of Jira Cloud and how to use the new features effectively.
Set up a helpdesk or support channels where employees can ask questions during the transition period.
How to Migrate Jira Server to the Cloud Using the Jira Cloud Migration Assistant
Moving from Jira Data Center to Jira Cloud is a structured process. Atlassian provides a tool called Jira Cloud Migration Assistant (JCMA) that helps you select what data to move and manage the steps involved.
This guide explains each phase of the migration using that tool.
1. Pre-Migration Preparation
Start with preparation tasks before using the migration assistant.
A. Review Your Setup
List all projects, issues, workflows, custom fields, and permission schemes.
Identify unused user accounts and groups, and remove or deactivate them
Check which apps are in use and confirm which ones support Cloud
Decide what data you will migrate and who will be responsible for each part
B. Prepare Your Environment
Remove old or irrelevant data
Upgrade Jira Data Center to the latest supported version
Set up your Cloud site with the correct products and apps
Let your team know the timeline and any expected downtime
2. Install Jira Cloud Migration Assistant
Go to Administration > Applications in your Jira Data Center instance
Under Migrate to Cloud, select Jira Cloud Migration Assistant
If it's not already installed, follow the prompts to add it.
3. Set Up the Migration
Launch the assistant from the Applications screen
Click Start a new migration
Connect to your Jira Cloud site
Choose what you want to migrate:
Specific or all projects
Issues
Users and groups
Filters and boards, if needed
Review migration settings and fix any alerts shown by the assistant
Check how users will be matched with accounts in the cloud
4. Run a Test Migration
Before moving everything, do a trial run.
Create a test Cloud site
Migrate a sample set of data using JCMA
Check that projects, issues, users, and settings were copied correctly
Confirm that workflows and boards still work as expected
Fix any problems before doing the actual migration.
5. Migrate to Cloud
When ready, perform the actual migration.
Let your team know the timing and any impact on access
Run JCMA again with your full migration settings
Begin the migration
Monitor the process from the migration assistant dashboard
Address any errors or issues that appear
6. After Migration
Once the migration is complete:
Review the data to make sure everything transferred as expected
Set up any features that are only available in Cloud
Reinstall apps if needed and restore their configurations
Notify users and offer help with using the Cloud interface
Monitor system usage and performance
Collect feedback and record anything that should be handled differently next time.
Conclusion
Migrating from Jira Data Center to Jira Cloud offers long-term value by reducing system maintenance, improving reliability, and giving teams access to modern features. While the process involves careful planning, the benefits are well worth the effort. Common challenges can be managed with the right test management tools and a structured approach.
To manage risk and maintain continuity, it is important to test your data and workflows during and after migration. There are tools like AIO Tests that can help teams validate the quality of their migrated data, generate test cases, and ensure traceability throughout the migration cycle.
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