The Unicorn blog
Planning a Drupal upgrade without the guesswork
Start with an inventory
List the Drupal version, contributed modules, custom code, hosting environment, and third-party integrations. Check the supported PHP and database versions for the release you intend to use. A dependency report is a useful starting point, but it does not replace testing your site.
Rehearse on a representative copy
Use a recent database and files backup in a private development environment. Protect personal data and disable outbound email and external actions. Run the upgrade there first, recording the steps and any problems that need attention.
Test the journeys that matter
Check the tasks real users perform: finding content, submitting a form, signing in, editing a page, and using any integrations. Test permissions and unpublished content as well as the visible design.
Plan the release and the way back
Keep the code release, dependency lock file, configuration, and database backup together as a release record. Database updates may prevent older code from running correctly, so rollback planning must cover both code and data.
Keep the next upgrade small
After launch, schedule routine dependency reviews and maintenance. Smaller, regular updates are easier to understand and rehearse than a large catch-up project.
Have a project in mind?
We can help turn the next step into a practical plan. Talk to Unicorn Digitech.