Which statement about data migration planning is correct?

• A. Planning can be skipped if the data is small
• B. Data migration should be performed as a single step
• C. Planning should occur before execution; a phased approach is recommended
• D. Validation is unnecessary

Answer: (C)

The essential idea is to plan before starting the migration and move data in manageable, tested steps. This approach ensures you define scope, map fields, establish data quality rules, and design a safe cutover. A phased migration lets you validate data at each stage, catch issues early, and adjust without risking the entire migration at once. It also supports testing, rollback options, and reducing downtime, which a rushed, single-step approach cannot provide. Planning is still crucial even for small datasets, because small projects can hide tricky mapping or dependency problems that only become apparent during execution. Validation is a required part of the process to confirm data integrity and successful transformation; skipping it leaves hidden defects that can cause downstream problems. So planning before execution with a phased, validated approach is the correct mindset.