# Phases of database migration


When you’ve identified a database for migration, you go through the phases of preparation, planning, migration, and optimization of the database.

 ![\[Phases of the database migration process\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/prescriptive-guidance/latest/strategy-database-migration/images/database-migration-phases.png) 

The following sections discuss each phase in detail:
+ [Phase 1: Prepare](preparation-phase.md)
+ [Phase 2: Plan](planning-phase.md)
+ [Phase 3: Migrate](migration-phase.md)
+ [Phase 4: Operate and optimize](optimization-phase.md)