Wave planning is a strategic approach used in AWS migration projects to organize and execute the movement of workloads in manageable, coordinated batches rather than attempting to migrate everything simultaneously. This methodology helps organizations reduce risk, optimize resources, and maintain b…Wave planning is a strategic approach used in AWS migration projects to organize and execute the movement of workloads in manageable, coordinated batches rather than attempting to migrate everything simultaneously. This methodology helps organizations reduce risk, optimize resources, and maintain business continuity throughout the migration journey.
In wave planning, applications and workloads are grouped into waves based on various criteria including technical dependencies, business criticality, complexity, and resource availability. Each wave represents a distinct migration phase with its own timeline, resources, and success criteria.
The process typically begins with a discovery and assessment phase where all applications are inventoried and analyzed. Teams evaluate factors such as interdependencies between applications, database connections, network requirements, and compliance considerations. This information helps determine which applications should migrate together.
Wave 0 usually consists of foundational infrastructure components and low-risk applications that serve as proof of concept. These initial migrations help teams validate processes, identify potential issues, and build confidence before tackling more complex workloads.
Subsequent waves progressively increase in complexity and scale. Applications with tight dependencies are grouped together to minimize integration challenges. Business-critical applications often appear in later waves once teams have refined their migration procedures and established robust rollback mechanisms.
AWS Migration Hub provides tools to track wave planning progress, offering visibility into migration status across multiple AWS and partner solutions. Organizations can define wave templates, assign applications to specific waves, and monitor completion metrics.
Key benefits of wave planning include predictable resource allocation, reduced operational risk through smaller batch sizes, easier troubleshooting when issues arise, and the ability to incorporate lessons learned from earlier waves into subsequent ones. This iterative approach enables continuous improvement throughout the migration lifecycle while ensuring that business operations remain stable during the transition to AWS cloud infrastructure.
Wave Planning for Migration
What is Wave Planning?
Wave planning is a strategic approach to organizing and executing cloud migrations by grouping applications and workloads into manageable batches called 'waves.' Each wave represents a set of applications that will be migrated together during a specific time period, allowing organizations to systematically move their infrastructure to AWS in a controlled and predictable manner.
Why is Wave Planning Important?
Wave planning is critical for several reasons:
Risk Mitigation: By migrating in smaller groups, organizations can identify and resolve issues before they affect the entire portfolio.
Resource Optimization: Teams can allocate personnel, tools, and budget more effectively across defined time periods.
Business Continuity: Grouping related applications ensures dependencies are handled together, minimizing disruption to business operations.
Learning and Improvement: Early waves provide lessons learned that can be applied to subsequent waves, improving efficiency over time.
Stakeholder Management: Clear timelines and groupings help communicate progress to leadership and affected business units.
How Wave Planning Works
Step 1: Discovery and Assessment Catalog all applications using tools like AWS Application Discovery Service or Migration Evaluator. Document dependencies, technical specifications, and business criticality.
Step 2: Define Wave Criteria Establish criteria for grouping applications: - Application dependencies and interconnections - Business criticality and risk tolerance - Technical complexity and migration strategy (6 Rs) - Team availability and skill requirements - Compliance and regulatory requirements
Step 3: Create Wave Structure Typically organized as: - Wave 0: Foundation - Set up landing zones, networking, security, and governance - Wave 1: Pilot - Low-risk, non-critical applications to validate processes - Wave 2-N: Production waves - Progressively migrate remaining applications - Final Wave: Complex, mission-critical systems with extensive dependencies
Step 4: Validate Dependencies Ensure applications within a wave have their dependencies either already migrated or included in the same wave. Use dependency mapping tools to visualize relationships.
Step 5: Execute and Iterate Run each wave following the migration runbook. Conduct post-wave retrospectives to capture improvements for future waves.
Key AWS Services for Wave Planning
- AWS Migration Hub: Centralized tracking of migration progress across waves - AWS Application Discovery Service: Automated discovery and dependency mapping - AWS Migration Evaluator: Business case development and portfolio analysis - AWS Application Migration Service: Automated lift-and-shift migrations
Best Practices
- Start with simple, low-dependency applications in early waves - Include a mix of migration strategies (rehost, replatform, refactor) per wave based on team capacity - Build buffer time between waves for unexpected issues - Establish clear success criteria and rollback procedures for each wave - Maintain communication channels with all stakeholders throughout the process
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Wave Planning
Recognize Key Scenarios: When exam questions mention large-scale migrations, multiple applications, or phased approaches, think wave planning.
Focus on Dependencies: Questions often test whether you understand that dependent applications should migrate together or in sequence. Never separate tightly coupled applications across waves.
Remember Wave 0: Foundation setup (landing zone, networking, IAM, security) always comes first before any application migration.
Prioritization Logic: Expect questions about which applications to migrate first. The answer typically involves starting with lower-risk, simpler applications to build confidence and expertise.
Tool Association: AWS Migration Hub is the primary service for tracking wave-based migrations. Application Discovery Service helps with the planning phase.
Business Alignment: Questions may test understanding that wave timing should align with business cycles - avoid migrating financial systems during quarter-end close.
Common Distractors: Watch for answers suggesting all applications should migrate simultaneously (big bang approach) - this is rarely correct for large portfolios.
Iteration Theme: Correct answers often emphasize learning from early waves and applying improvements to later waves - this reflects AWS best practices for migration.