Statement of WorkData Migration

Statement of Work Template for Data Migration Projects (UK 2025)

Last updated: February 2025

When You Need This Contract

Data migration SOWs must address the technical complexity and business risk of moving data between systems. The SOW should define the data mapping between source and target systems, data cleansing and transformation rules, testing and validation procedures, go-live cutover plan, and critically important rollback procedures if the migration fails. Data migration projects carry significant risk because data loss or corruption can have immediate business impact, making comprehensive testing and rollback provisions essential.

Key Clauses

  • Data mapping document between source and target systems
  • Data cleansing rules and transformation specifications
  • Testing plan with validation criteria and acceptance thresholds
  • Go-live cutover plan with timeline and responsibilities
  • Rollback procedures and data recovery plan

What to Watch Out For

  • Not defining comprehensive data validation criteria to verify migration accuracy
  • Failing to include a tested rollback plan in case the migration fails or data is corrupted

Sample Clauses

  • Sample data mapping clause: 'The data migration shall transfer [specified data categories] from [source system] to [target system] in accordance with the Data Mapping Document at Appendix [X]. The Mapping Document specifies the source field, target field, and any transformation rules for each data element. Fields with no direct mapping shall be handled as specified in the transformation rules.'
  • Sample rollback clause: 'A complete backup of the source system shall be taken immediately before the migration cutover. If the migration fails validation testing or critical data integrity issues are identified within [48] hours of cutover, the full rollback procedure shall be executed to restore the source system to its pre-migration state. The rollback procedure shall be tested in the staging environment before the production migration.'

FAQ

What testing should a data migration SOW include?

Include multiple testing phases: unit testing of individual data mappings, integration testing of the complete migration on a staging environment, user acceptance testing with business stakeholders verifying data accuracy, and performance testing for large datasets. Define specific acceptance criteria such as data record count matching, field-level accuracy checks on a sample, and zero tolerance for data loss in critical fields.

Why is a rollback plan essential for data migration?

Data migration can fail or produce corrupt data despite thorough testing, due to production environment differences, data volume issues, or edge cases not encountered in testing. A tested rollback plan ensures the business can return to its pre-migration state within a defined timeframe, typically hours rather than days. Without rollback capability, a failed migration can cause extended business disruption and potential data loss.

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This is guidance for UK businesses, not legal advice. Templates are illustrative. Consult a solicitor for complex matters.

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