# Cutover Stage — Elaboration

## Criteria Guidance

### Good criteria — concrete and verifiable

- "Cutover runbook lists every step with owner, expected duration, and go/no-go checkpoint"
- "Rollback procedure is tested end-to-end and restores the source system to pre-migration state within the defined RTO"
- "Communication plan notifies all downstream consumers with maintenance window, expected impact, and escalation contacts"

### Bad criteria — vague (no clear check)

- "Cutover plan exists"
- "Rollback is possible"
- "Stakeholders are notified"

