6 Testing and Migration Tasks for Every App Development Project Plan

App migration is a complex but important part of the app development process. One misstep, and you’ll face compatibility issues, broken features, and unexpected errors. That’s especially true if you’re migrating data for the first time.

That’s when app testing becomes essential. It helps you find hidden bugs in the development and migration processes so you can safely transfer your data and make sure the app functions as expected in the real world. 

In this guide, we’ll discuss six critical testing and migration tasks you should include in your app development project plan, with some expert advice from Oleksandr Andrieiev, CEO of Jelvix. 

Common App Migration and Testing Mistakes

Even the best apps can fail if migration and testing aren’t done right. Andrieiev says, “The biggest mistakes include failing to assess system dependencies, skipping performance testing, and overlooking security risks. These lead to downtime, data loss, compliance violations, and increased costs.” 

Here are some migration and testing mistakes to avoid:

Skipping Steps

Development teams often think they can skip mapping out system dependencies or testing edge cases. Little do they know these steps keep the app running smoothly. 

For example, failing to validate data integrity during migration can corrupt files or wipe out user information. If you skip performance testing, your app might be unable to handle high traffic. The last thing you want is a crash at the worst possible moment. 

Inadequate Testing

Skipping security testing leaves your app vulnerable to breaches and puts user data at risk. Additionally, overlooking usability testing results in clunky interfaces and confusing navigation. Without proper load testing, your app might crash under heavy traffic.

These issues don’t just irritate users — they drive them away for good. Most apps lose 77% of daily active users within the first three days. If you go 90 days without adequate testing and optimization, this number can increase to 95%.

Poor Analytics Setup

Without real-time tracking and visibility, you’ll miss bottlenecks, such as where users drop off or which features they ignore. Plus, you can’t measure what is and isn't working without monitoring conversion tracking.

You might also overlook performance issues, such as slow load times, that drive users away. You can even have incomplete data that misguide your decisions during app development. 

How To Ensure Data Integrity and Seamless Content Transfer During Migration

Data and content migration is the process of moving information, including user profiles, settings, and media from one system to another without losing or corrupting it. It sounds simple, but one misstep can cause data loss and downtime. 

Let’s break it down step by step.

1. Assess Current Data and Content Structure
2. Plan Data and/or Content Migration Strategy
3. Execute Data and/or Content Migration
4. Validate and Optimize

1. Assess Current Data and Content Structure

The first step is to understand how your data is organized. Is your data structured (databases) or unstructured (emails or documents)? Structured data is easier to migrate, and unstructured data must be handled more carefully. 

Once you’ve identified how your data is organized, the next step is to map out how all the components interact. The mapping process involves identifying relationships between data sets, determining dependencies, and outlining any connections that need to be maintained during migration. Taking the time to map all of the app’s elements will reduce the risk of data loss or error down the road. 

2. Plan Data and/or Content Migration Strategy

Now, you have two options for data and content migration: 

• Full migration moves everything at once, which is fast but risky. If something goes wrong during the transfer, you risk losing all your data instead of just some.
• Incremental migration transfers data in phases. This method has less downtime and enough room for adjustments. However, it does take longer.

Whatever migration strategy you choose, it's wise to have a backup plan. Research shows that 80% of data migration projects fail to meet their goals due to inadequate planning and lack of a backup strategy.

Lastly, your migration strategy should also focus on data governance and compliance. If you handle sensitive information, make sure you meet regulations, such as GDPR or HIPAA.

3. Execute Data and/or Content Migration

Now, it’s time to move your data using the ETL process: 

• Extract data from the source
• Transform it to fit the new system’s requirements
• Load it into the destination

The ETL process is better than manual or ad-hoc methods because it automates data extraction and saves time.

Look for data inconsistencies, duplicate records, and formatting issues. If you don’t catch them early, they can derail the entire process. 

More importantly, make sure your access controls and security settings migrate correctly. Any misstep could lead to sensitive data being exposed or locked out. Unfortunately, misconfiguration or human error is a primary cause (31%) of cloud security breaches.

4. Validate and Optimize

Once migration is complete, you need to verify the accuracy of your data. Look for missing records, broken links, or formatting errors, which can quickly ruin user trust. 

Next, optimize your content structure for usability so consumers can find what they need without frustration. This benefits both the user and the business. A recent study also found that optimized content can lead to a 41.46% increase in URL clicks for target keywords.

Finally, conduct user acceptance testing (UAT). This process lets real users test the system and provide feedback on issues you might have missed. 

Testing the App’s Performance and Reliability

Without testing, your app stays vulnerable to performance issues like slow load times, crashes, or poor scalability. These issues can drive users away, but setting up performance tracking lets you spot bottlenecks before they become disasters. 

Here’s how to test your app’s performance and reliability:

5. Set Up Analytics for Performance
6. QA Testing for Usability, Stability, and Security

5. Set Up Analytics for Performance

Setting up analytics requires time and resources, but it’s an investment in informed decision-making for your app. Having the right tracking in place before testing allows you to gather valuable, data-backed insights and optimize the app as you go. 

Here are some tips to consider:

• Start by defining relevant key performance indicators (KPIs), such as load times, crash rates, and user engagement.
• Use analytics and monitoring tools to track these KPIs in real time.
• Conduct performance benchmarking to compare your app’s performance against industry standards or previous versions. 

6. QA Testing for Usability, Stability, and Security

Quality assurance (QA) testing is not optional — it’s your app’s final safety check. According to Andrieiev’s advice, “Without rigorous QA, businesses risk launch delays, security breaches, and poor user experience. QA ensures that apps meet compliance standards (HIPAA, GDPR), deliver high availability, and scale efficiently.” 

Here’s what thorough QA testing covers:

• Functional testing: Makes sure the app works as intended and all features perform correctly.
• Security testing: Identifies vulnerabilities and prevents data breaches.
• Regression testing: Confirms new updates or changes don’t break existing functionality.
• User acceptance testing: Validates that the app meets real users’ needs and expectations.
• Performance testing: Checks how the app handles stress, load, and scalability.
• Interruption testing: Tests the app’s recovery from problems like network failures.
• Compatibility testing: Checks how the app works on different devices, browsers, and operating systems.
• Localization testing: Checks how the app adapts to different languages, regions, and cultures.
• Speed testing: Measures load times and responsiveness for a smooth user experience.
• Installation testing: Confirms that the app installs and updates without errors.
• Memory leak testing: Finds resource consumption issues that could slow down or crash the app.
• Application programming interface (API) testing: Integrates the app with third-party services or internal systems.
• Build testing: Checks for errors or issues in the app’s build process.
• Role testing: Tests if user permissions and access controls work correctly.
• Stream testing: Smoothens out glitches in real-time data flows, like video or audio.
• Manual testing: Uses human testers to catch nuanced issues automation might miss.
• Automated testing: Uses scripts to quickly and repeatedly test repetitive or complex scenarios.

Best Practices for a Smooth App Migration and Testing Process

A successful app migration and testing process is hard to achieve independently. Working with a reliable app development partner is a best practice your team will appreciate. 

Andrieiev encourages it: “The right development partner understands market-specific challenges, scalability needs, and compliance requirements.” Plus, they’ll offer tailored solutions and future-proof architectures that will help you maximize business value. 

Still, even with a capable partner, you should retain control over your app development strategy. Make sure they know your key values. Andrieiev emphasizes, “Success requires a structured roadmap, well-defined KPIs, and a transparent collaboration model. Companies should prioritize security, automation, and interoperability.” 

Execute a Seamless App Launch With Our Checklist

Executing app migration and testing correctly makes you much more likely to enjoy a successful launch. Remember, each step in this list makes your app more secure, scalable, and user-friendly.

You must monitor your app’s performance, gather user feedback, and iterate to stay ahead of the curve. Download our complete app development checklist to nail every detail.