The AWS Migration Acceleration Program (MAP) is a structured framework that combines financial incentives, prescriptive methodology, and native AWS tools to help enterprises migrate to the cloud confidently. This guide covers all four MAP phases, available tools, funding mechanisms, and how to select the right migration partner.
MAP Overview: What the Program Includes
MAP bundles migration expertise, automation tools, and service credits into a single program delivered through certified AWS Partners. The program addresses the three biggest migration blockers: technical complexity, operational risk, and upfront cost. Over 200 AWS Partners hold the Migration Competency required to deliver MAP engagements.
Phase 1: Assess
The Assess phase builds a data-driven business case for migration by discovering your application portfolio and calculating total cost of ownership. Key activities include:
- Running AWS Application Discovery Service to inventory servers, applications, and dependencies
- Using AWS Migration Evaluator to model cloud costs against current on-premises spending
- Classifying workloads using the 6 R framework (Rehost, Replatform, Refactor, Repurchase, Retire, Retain)
- Producing a migration readiness assessment with prioritized workload waves
Phase 2: Mobilize
Mobilize transforms the assessment into an actionable migration plan with infrastructure, security, and team readiness. This phase typically takes 4-8 weeks and includes:
- Building the AWS Landing Zone using AWS Control Tower for multi-account governance
- Establishing network connectivity (Direct Connect, VPN, or Transit Gateway)
- Configuring security baselines, IAM policies, and compliance guardrails
- Running pilot migrations to validate the approach and estimate effort per workload type
- Training teams on AWS tools and operational procedures
Phase 3: Migrate and Modernize
The migration phase executes workload moves in planned waves, typically processing 10-50 servers per wave. AWS provides purpose-built tools for each migration pattern:
| Migration Pattern | AWS Tool | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Lift and shift (Rehost) | AWS Application Migration Service (MGN) | Server replication with minimal changes |
| Database migration | AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) | Continuous replication with schema conversion |
| Platform change (Replatform) | AWS Elastic Beanstalk / ECS | Move to managed platforms with minor changes |
| Modernize (Refactor) | Lambda, Step Functions, containers | Application architecture transformation |
For detailed migration strategies, see our AWS migration process overview.
Phase 4: Operate and Optimize
Post-migration optimization ensures workloads run efficiently and cost-effectively on AWS. Key activities include:
- Right-sizing instances using AWS Compute Optimizer recommendations
- Implementing Reserved Instances or Savings Plans for predictable workloads
- Setting up CloudWatch dashboards and alarms for proactive monitoring
- Conducting Well-Architected Reviews to identify improvement opportunities
MAP Funding and Credits
MAP provides financial incentives at every phase to reduce the total cost of migration. Credits are tied to MAP 2.0 tagging — all migrated resources must carry the correct tag keys and values. See our MAP credits guide for detailed eligibility and tracking information.
Selecting a MAP Partner
Your MAP Partner manages the entire program lifecycle, making partner selection one of the most important migration decisions. Evaluate partners on:
- Active AWS Migration Competency (verify on the AWS Partner Network)
- Industry-specific migration experience and references
- Post-migration managed services capability
- Proven track record with MAP enrollments of similar scale
Frequently Asked Questions
How many phases does AWS MAP have?
AWS MAP has four phases: Assess, Mobilize, Migrate and Modernize, and Operate and Optimize. Each phase has specific deliverables and funding mechanisms.
What is the difference between MAP 1.0 and MAP 2.0?
MAP 2.0, which applies to all enrollments since November 2022, requires workload tagging for credit allocation and provides a more structured funding model. MAP 1.0 used a different credit mechanism that is no longer available for new enrollments.
How long does a complete MAP engagement take?
Typical MAP engagements span 6-18 months. The Assess phase takes 2-4 weeks, Mobilize takes 4-8 weeks, and the Migrate phase depends on the number of workload waves required.
Can MAP be used alongside other AWS programs?
Yes, MAP credits can be used alongside Reserved Instances, Savings Plans, and other AWS discount programs. MAP credits apply after volume discounts on any remaining on-demand charges.
What happens after the MAP engagement ends?
After migration is complete, organizations transition to standard AWS operations. Many choose to continue working with their MAP Partner for ongoing managed services, optimization, and future modernization projects.