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salesforce lightning migration checklist
Alok Khandelwal
Alok Khandelwal Updated on Nov 2, 2023  |  5 Min Read

The next generation of Salesforce— Lightning includes the robust Lightning platform for quick and easy app development, Lightning Experience (intelligent user interface), and the AppExchange ecosystem that provides ready-to-install solutions. Salesforce Lightning is built with a mindset centered on sales and service which assists teams work more productively and effectively. By migrating to Salesforce Lightning, you can transform your business and benefit everyone involved in running your organization.

salesforce classic to lightning migration

Owing to the simple drag-and-drop functionalities of Lightning, developers can quickly create customized applications for their business purposes. Users can create a step-by-step sales process with the help of features such as Path and Guidance. These features provide business users with important links, information, and tips at every stage, helping boost productivity and rates of conversion.

The AI-powered search function, Einstein Search, helps users easily find what they are looking for. The functionality offers a Typeahead that predicts user searches before they complete typing. Spell Correction delivers results that are spell-corrected, ignoring typos and spelling errors. In case users already know what they are searching for, they can limit their search scope to a particular kind of object.

Lightning aligns to the future roadmap of Salesforce as the platform has lately announced that new feature releases will be on the Lightning Experience. Hence, sooner than later, it will become necessary for all Salesforce users to migrate to the Lightning Experience to reap maximum advantages of the Salesforce platform.

Salesforce Classic to Lightning migration includes transitioning your organization from the Salesforce Classic user interface (UI) to the Lightning Experience. The Lightning Experience offers an intuitive, modern, and responsive UI with improved features and capabilities.

Here’s a basic blueprint of the process of migration:

1. Assess Readiness

Evaluate the readiness of your organization for the migration. Review the customizations, integrations, and features of Salesforce that you are currently employing. This will help you recognize any potential areas or issues that need your attention.

2. Plan and Execute

Make a migration plan outlining the objectives, timelines, and resources needed for the transition. Create a project team, identify important stakeholders, and allot the required resources.

3. Implement Lightning Experience

Enable Salesforce Lightning Experience in your organization. You can decide whether to make it available to certain users, certain profiles, or the whole organization. During the migration process, this phase enables users to switch between the Classic and Lightning user interfaces.

4. Assess AppExchange Packages

Check any installed Salesforce AppExchange packages to make sure they are compatible with Lightning Experience. Some packages might need to be updated or replaced in order for Lightning to function properly.

5. Improve Salesforce configuration

By optimizing your Salesforce configuration, you can benefit from Lightning-specific improvements and features. Page layouts may need to be reorganized, workflows and processes may need to be updated, and Lightning components may need to be leveraged.

6. Data Migration

Evaluate the quality and cleanliness of your data before migrating to Salesforce Lightning. Ensure to clean up any outdated or duplicate records to promote data integrity. You can utilize third-party data migration or Salesforce data tools to carry out the process smoothly.

7. Test and Validate

Perform extensive testing to confirm that all workflows, customizations, and integrations function properly within the Lightning Experience. To verify functionality and find any issues or errors, test different scenarios and user roles.

8. Offer User Training and Support

Give your Salesforce users support and training to help them get used to the new Lightning Experience. Hold training events, webinars, or workshops to introduce users to the new interface and highlight its advantages.

9. Implement the Migration

After being certain that your organization is prepared, start the migration. This often entails making Lightning Experience the default interface and disabling the Classic user interface for all or selected users.

10. Monitor and Address Concerns

Once you migrate from Classic to Lightning, monitor user feedback and adoption. Address any issues or concerns in a prompt manner and refine the setup depending on user feedback and evolving needs of your business.

It’s vital to keep in mind that depending on their unique requirements and adaptations, each organization’s migration path may vary. Salesforce offers tools, documentation, and resources like the Lightning Experience Readiness Check and the Lightning Experience Migration Assistant to help you with the migration process. You might also consider working with a Salesforce partner or consultant to help plan and carry out a successful migration.

Classic to Lightning Migration: Step-by-step Guide For A Successful Migration

Salesforce Classic to Lightning migration is not an easy task and requires careful management. However, following certain best practices and tips can make way for a smooth migration.

Here are some important tips to help you with seamless Classic to Lightning migration:

Strategize and Prepare

  • Create a concise migration plan with timetables, benchmarks, and resource allocation.
  • Identify important parties to involve in the planning process.
  • Determine the compatibility of your current customizations, integrations, and AppExchange packages with Lightning Experience.
  • Prior to the migration, perform a comprehensive examination of the quality and cleanliness of your data.

Comprehend Lightning Experience

  • Learn how to use the features of the Lightning Experience interface.
  • Utilize features unique to Lightning, such as Kanban view, Lightning Components, and Lightning App Builder.
  • To encourage adoption, educate your users about the features and advantages of Lightning Experience.

Do a Trial Run

  • Pick a specific department or a limited number of users to take part in a test programme.
  • Give them the opportunity to test the Lightning Experience, give feedback, and point out any problems or potential improvements.
  • Adjust the migration process based on their comments, and address any issues.

Concentrate on User Adoption

  • Inform your users of the reasons for the migration and the advantages of the Lightning Experience.
  • Offer thorough training and assistance to users to ensure a smooth transition.
  • Encourage early adopters to tell others about their great outcomes and recommended practices.

Improve Page Layouts

  • Review and modify your page layouts to make use of the adaptability of the Lightning App Builder.
  • To improve user efficiency and experience, make use of dynamic Lightning components like Path, Related Lists, and Related Record components.

Do Extensive Testing

  • Thoroughly test all of your Lightning Experience customizations, integrations, and workflows.
  • Test different scenarios, user roles, and processes to make sure everything works as it should.
  • To identify potential problems, use Salesforce technologies like the Lightning Experience Migration Assistant and Lightning Experience Readiness Check.

Reiterate and Refine

  • After the migration, continue to collect user feedback and quickly address any issues.
  • Examine user behavior and usage patterns to spot areas that require improvement or more training.
  • Based on changing business requirements and user feedback, keep improving and iterating your Lightning setup.

Use Salesforce Resources

  • Benefit from the Lightning migration-specific Trailhead modules, Salesforce documentation, and webinars.
  • Employ Salesforce partners or consultants for knowledgeable direction and support during the migration process.

Keep in mind that meticulous preparation, exhaustive testing, and efficient change management are required for a successful Salesforce Classic to Lightning migration. You can make the switch from Classic to Lightning Experience smoother by implementing these suggestions and making use of the tools available at your disposal.

Boost Business Efficiency with Salesforce Classic to Lightning Migration