The key question
Changing the database engine is a measure, not a complete business objective. First establish whether the problem is changeability, operational effort, technical dependency or something else concrete.
What to inventory
- Document the most important current constraints with examples.
- Identify affected business processes and decision-makers.
- Separate non-negotiable requirements from assumptions that can change.
Design the target deliberately
Define a small number of measurable or testable success criteria. Examples include a proven restart procedure, an independently operable data flow or an agreed response time under defined load. Then choose technical measures that directly support those criteria.
A concrete validation step
What should your team be able to do better after the modernisation? The answer often narrows scope more effectively than a long list of possible technologies.
Evidence required before sign-off
- Map every measure to a business objective.
- Agree acceptance conditions before implementation.
- Include additional operational and training effort.
- Document the evidence that proves each success criterion.
Primary sources & further reading
These recommendations are engineering guidance. Specific options depend on source and target versions, privileges and operating model.