ERP Data Migration Rollback Plan
No ERP data migration plan is complete without a viable rollback strategy. Deloitte reports that 15-20% of ERP go-live attempts encounter issues severe enough to warrant considering rollback, though only 3-5% actually execute a full rollback. The difference between a controlled rollback and a panicked retreat lies entirely in preparation. A well-documented, rehearsed rollback plan transforms a potential disaster into a managed setback with a clear path to a second attempt.
Rollback Trigger Criteria and Decision Authority
The most critical element of a rollback plan is not the technical procedure—it is the decision framework. Who has the authority to initiate rollback? What specific, measurable criteria trigger the decision? And at what point during cutover does rollback become infeasible? These questions must be answered, agreed upon by the steering committee, and documented before the cutover weekend begins.
- Financial data integrity: rollback triggers if GL trial balance discrepancy exceeds $10K or sub-ledger reconciliation fails
- Transaction processing: rollback if critical business transactions (orders, shipments, invoices) cannot be processed within 4 hours
- Integration failures: rollback if more than 2 critical integrations (banking, EDI, tax engine) fail to establish connection
- Data completeness: rollback if more than 1% of migrated master data records fail post-load validation checks
- Decision authority: cutover lead has authority to initiate rollback before the point of no return; after that, steering committee vote required
Technical Rollback Procedures
The technical rollback procedure must restore the legacy system to its pre-cutover state, including all data changes that occurred during the freeze period. This requires pre-cutover backups, transaction logs, and a documented sequence of restoration steps. The procedure must be rehearsed during cutover rehearsals to validate that it works and to establish accurate timing for the restoration process.
- Pre-cutover backup: full database backup of legacy system taken immediately before cutover begins, stored in multiple locations
- Incremental backup: capture all transactions entered in legacy system during the freeze period before system access was restricted
- Restoration sequence: database restore, configuration validation, integration reconnection, user access re-enablement
- Integration rollback: documented steps to re-enable legacy integrations (EDI, banking, payroll) with partner notification procedures
- Communication plan: pre-drafted rollback notifications for users, customers, suppliers, and executive stakeholders
Post-Rollback Recovery and Re-Planning
A rollback is not a failure—it is a controlled decision to protect the business. The post-rollback period must include a formal root cause analysis of why the migration failed, a remediation plan addressing all identified issues, and a revised timeline for the next go-live attempt. Organizations that conduct thorough post-rollback analysis have a 95% success rate on their second attempt.
- Root cause analysis: convene a blameless retrospective within 48 hours to document exactly what went wrong and why
- Remediation plan: create a specific, actionable plan addressing every root cause with assigned owners and target completion dates
- Revised timeline: establish a new go-live date allowing sufficient time for remediation, additional testing, and another rehearsal
- Stakeholder communication: transparent briefing to executive sponsors and board on root cause, remediation plan, and revised timeline
- Lessons incorporated: update cutover runbook, testing protocols, and validation criteria based on rollback learnings
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Related Resources
ERP Cutover Planning: Strategy, Rehearsal & Execution
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ERPERP Data Validation & Testing After Migration
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