For tech executives and CTOs, migrating from GitHub to GitLab is more than just a switch in tools—it’s a strategic move that can drive cost optimization, improve team collaboration, streamline project planning, and enhance code review processes. This checklist provides a high-level, step-by-step guide to help you make an informed decision and execute a successful migration.

Step 1: Evaluate Your Current Environment

Understand Your Needs: Start by assessing your existing GitHub setup. Identify the following:

  • Current workflows and integration points (CI/CD, issue tracking, code reviews).
  • Licensing costs and usage patterns.
  • Team pain points and limitations in collaboration.

This evaluation will form the basis for your migration strategy, highlighting which GitLab features can address your specific challenges.

Step 2: Assess Cost Optimization Opportunities

Compare Licensing and Operational Costs: GitLab offers flexible licensing options that often result in lower total cost of ownership. Consider the following:

  • Consolidation of tools—GitLab combines version control, CI/CD, issue tracking, and code review into one platform.
  • Reduced vendor management and integration overhead.
  • Improved scalability and reduced maintenance costs.

Calculate potential savings by analyzing current expenditures on third-party integrations and subscriptions, and compare them with GitLab’s all-in-one pricing model.

Step 3: Map Out Team Collaboration & Project Planning Enhancements

Visualize Your New Workflow: GitLab’s integrated platform can transform the way your teams work together. Focus on:

  • Unified Dashboards: Real-time insights into project status, code quality, and security metrics.
  • Enhanced Collaboration Tools: Built-in merge request discussions, issue boards, and milestones to improve transparency.
  • Agile Project Planning: Integrated tools for sprint planning and tracking, reducing context switching.

Create a visual workflow diagram that illustrates how GitLab’s features will streamline current processes, making it easier to communicate benefits to your executive team.

Step 4: Strengthen Code Review & Issue Logging Processes

Upgrade Your Quality Assurance: GitLab improves code quality through better code reviews and issue tracking:

  • Code Review Improvements: Leverage inline commenting, code suggestions, and merge request approvals to ensure high-quality code.
  • Issue Tracking: Use GitLab’s integrated issue tracker to link commits, merge requests, and issues, creating a single source of truth.
  • Enhanced Security: Implement automated security checks within merge requests to catch vulnerabilities early.

Consider piloting a migration for one project to demonstrate these improvements in a controlled environment.

Step 5: Plan & Execute the Migration

Develop a Detailed Migration Roadmap: A successful migration requires careful planning and phased execution:

  • Data Backup & Audit: Backup your GitHub repositories and audit current permissions and integrations.
  • Migration Tools: Evaluate available migration tools or scripts—GitLab provides importers that facilitate repository and issue migration.
  • Pilot Migration: Run a pilot with one or two projects to validate the process and fine-tune your workflow.
  • Team Training: Organize training sessions and workshops to familiarize your teams with GitLab’s interface and best practices.
  • Full Rollout: Execute the migration across all projects, monitor performance, and solicit continuous feedback for improvements.

Step 6: Monitor, Optimize, and Iterate

Post-Migration Follow-Up: Migration is not a one-off event. Establish KPIs and monitor the following:

  • Deployment times and CI/CD pipeline performance.
  • Team collaboration metrics and issue resolution times.
  • User satisfaction and adoption rates of new features.

Use GitLab’s analytics and dashboards to track these metrics. Regularly revisit your processes to identify areas for further optimization.

Final Thoughts

Migrating from GitHub to GitLab is a strategic decision that can yield significant benefits in cost efficiency, team collaboration, and overall project management. This checklist is designed to guide CTOs and VPs through the high-level steps required for a successful migration.

By carefully evaluating your current environment, mapping out the benefits, and executing a phased migration plan, you can ensure a smooth transition that empowers your teams and supports your most impactful business goals.

Ready to take the leap? Use this checklist to kickstart your migration journey and transform your software delivery processes for the better.