Migration to dbt Cloud: Best Practices to Achieve Success

For organizations already using dbt Core, making the switch to dbt Cloud might feel like a major leap, especially when the current setup gets the job done.

But the advantages dbt Cloud brings—faster workflows, robust governance, and lower operational costs—are designed to maximize the potential of your data infrastructure and drive a competitive edge.

At Indicium, we’ve seen the impact dbt Cloud can have on data processes. With over five years of experience working alongside dbt, 100,000+ hours of hands-on work, and 49 dbt certifications, we help clients migrate smoothly to amplify their data’s value. 

In this article, we’ll show you why transitioning to dbt Cloud should be a top priority in your data strategy.

Why Consider Migrating to dbt Cloud?

For organizations already using dbt Core, moving to dbt Cloud doesn’t mean starting from scratch. dbt Cloud builds on the solid foundation of dbt Core, adding tools that boost efficiency and scalability. 

dbt Core manages the technical foundation, providing structure and governance for your data workflows. dbt Cloud simplifies processes and enhances collaboration across teams, empowering both technical and business users to drive impactful data outcomes.

Here’s why making the switch to dbt Cloud is worth considering:

• High Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Traditional data environments come with high operational costs that can quickly become unsustainable. dbt Cloud optimizes these expenses with streamlined infrastructure and automated workflows.

• Governance and Compliance: Effective governance is crucial for data integrity and future innovations. dbt Cloud provides robust governance features that enable better compliance, visibility, and data lineage tracking. 

• Performance and Resilience: With dbt Cloud, you get faster processing speeds (up to 2-5x faster), enhanced reliability, and a collaborative interface that makes it easier for teams to work together.

• Advanced Analytics and AI Readiness: dbt Cloud enhances the use of modern AI and analytics, enabling the adoption of advanced tools like co-pilots and cloud-based AI applications.

• User Adoption: dbt Cloud’s intuitive, business-friendly interface is designed for easy adoption across technical and business teams alike, making it easier for teams to leverage data fully.

A Modern Migration Approach

A successful migration to dbt Cloud involves more than just moving your data through a “lift-and-shift” approach—it requires a strategic re-architecting of your data stack to unlock maximum value. 

Here’s how we guide our clients through this transformation:

Iterative and Template-Based Strategy

Our process uses a structured, repeatable framework to migrate your data in stages. By applying templates, we ensure consistency, minimize errors, and set up guardrails to enhance scalability across the migration, making sure your data stack is built to grow.

Architectural and Governance Framework

From the beginning, we establish a robust security and governance framework to maintain compliance and data protection. This foundational layer adapts with each new workload, ensuring your environment remains secure and governed as your data needs expand.

Initial High-Impact Use Case

To build momentum, we start with a high-impact use case that demonstrates early success. This targeted approach validates the migration strategy and fosters organizational buy-in, setting the stage for scalable adoption across additional use cases.

Migration Factory

Indicium sets up a “migration factory” approach, a scalable, repeatable process that enables us to handle multiple workloads simultaneously. As your organization grows, this scalable model ensures that your migration strategy evolves alongside your business, delivering long-term flexibility and value.

Accelerators and Best Practices for Migration

At Indicium, we’ve developed proprietary tools and accelerators to streamline the migration process to dbt Cloud. These ensure a smooth transition and reduce time-to-value. Our framework incorporates key elements:

• dbt Templates and Migration Accelerators: Pre-configured templates expedite common tasks, while migration accelerators facilitate core transformation processes.
• Data Quality and Auditing Tools: Automated testing throughout the migration ensures data quality, mitigating risk and enhancing reliability.
• Infrastructure Support: Comprehensive support minimizes disruption, allowing for a seamless transition.

To maximize the success of your migration, we follow a structured methodology divided into phases:

1. Initial Contact: We begin by understanding your requirements and setting clear expectations.

2. Discovery and Assessment: Through workshops and gap analyses, we identify critical areas and outline a preliminary roadmap.

3. Preparation and Planning: After agreeing on the scope and aligning use cases, we develop a tailored project plan that includes decommissioning legacy systems.

4. Migration Execution: During execution, we manage architecture design, governance, system integration, and thorough testing to ensure the best transition.

5. Project Close-Out and Knowledge Transfer: Finally, we conduct a project review and implement our knowledge transfer process, ensuring that your team is equipped to maintain and optimize your data environment effectively.

Results 

Migrating to dbt Cloud with Indicium leads to a well-governed data foundation, performant pipelines, and a collaborative environment where data drives business outcomes. Our clients see:

• Lower TCO and reduced operational overhead
• Engaged business users empowered by streamlined, user-friendly data tools
• Faster migrations with consistent, high-quality results

dbt Cloud is more than a tool, it’s an enabler for modern data transformations that prioritize governance, collaboration, and speed. 

By moving from dbt Core to dbt Cloud, organizations can unlock powerful new features, enable faster time-to-value, and reduce operational costs.

At Indicium, we’re committed to ensuring a smooth transition that brings measurable impact to your business.

Would you like to learn more? Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn how dbt Cloud and Indicium can transform your analytics approach.