The short answer
A PMS migration rollback plan identifies the last recoverable source state, which system may accept writes during each cutover stage, objective rollback triggers, decision authority, recovery steps, alternate processing, communication owners, and post-rollback reconciliation. Test the plan before cutover; a backup that has never been restored is not a demonstrated rollback path.
Key takeaways
Control writes across the cutover boundary
Map when the source becomes read-only, when the destination may accept production writes, and how emergency or manual transactions are captured. If both systems can change the same fact, define conflict ownership and reconciliation.
A rollback does not simply reopen the old system. It must account for every valid transaction, document, message, approval, and external action created after the restoration point.
Write the rollback decision record
NIST contingency guidance connects recovery priorities, backups, alternate processing, tests, and recovery procedures. This plan borrows that structure for a narrower software migration; it is not a claim that a small property operation must implement a federal standard.
| Element | Pre-cutover decision | Evidence during execution |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery point | Exact source snapshot and restore owner | Backup identifier and restore test |
| Write authority | System of record by stage | Freeze and activation timestamps |
| Trigger | Objective failure and decision deadline | Failed test and impact |
| Continuity | Manual or alternate processing for critical work | Temporary record IDs and owners |
| Recovery | Ordered restore and access checks | Step results and exceptions |
| Reconciliation | Cutover-window population and matching method | Every external and internal action accounted for |
| Communication | Staff, vendor, owner, or resident routes as appropriate | Message version and sent record |
Rehearse the decision, not only the restore command
A rehearsal should reveal who can declare rollback, how late the decision can occur, whether credentials and exports work, and how temporary transactions return to the source. Record actual duration and gaps.
If the test cannot use production data, document what remains unproven. Do not convert a tabletop discussion into evidence that restoration succeeded.
Operational checklist
Mark your progress, then save a working copy. Selections reset when you leave this page. A checked box is not an approval or evidence of completion.
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Edge cases
Sources and references
Follow each source to check the underlying claim. Access checks and professional review are different steps.