By Adrian Moise, CEO of Aequilibrium
In Brief: AEQ-5 Playbook for Platform Migration
- Migration isn’t just a platform swap it’s a strategic transformation. AEQ’s Playbook frames DBP migration as a full-package shift: strategy, architecture, UX, integration, and execution.
- The AEQ-5 framework outlines 5 key stages: each with clear actions and outcomes to align leadership and avoid common pitfalls.
- Our visual diagram brings the framework to life making it easy for CU teams to understand where they are, what’s next, and how to plan a seamless rollout with clarity and confidence.
- Fall 2025 is the real deadline for credit unions Those hoping to go live in time for Forge sunset in 2026 must know that now the time to align on partners, platform, and process.
Why We Built This Playbook
I’ve always loved Formula 1.
Watching a driver step onto the podium, you know it wasn’t just their skill that got them there. It was the whole package: the car, the engineering, the pit crew, the strategy, even tire management.
Everything working in harmony.
Digital transformation is the same. Especially in this time of digital banking platform (DBP) migration for our Canadian credit unions (CUs), because
Choosing a new DBP isn’t enough. To “win the race,” CUs need the full package — strategy, architecture, experience design, integration, and execution.
That’s why we created this Playbook. It’s not just about swapping Forge for another system; it’s about building a foundation for the next decade.
From Insight to Action: Building on Our Thought Leadership
Over the past few months, we’ve been sharing a series of insights to help Canadian CUs navigate one of the most critical transitions of this decade: the Forge sunset. Each article was designed with a different executive audience in mind:
- CEOs & Boards: In our Navigating the Forge Migration webinar, we shared leader perspectives and underscored why this isn’t just a technology project.
- CIOs & CTOs: In the Mid-Year Update and Reality Check, we highlighted shrinking timelines and the dangers of waiting.
- CEOs & CIOs: In Future-Proofing, Not Parity, we challenged CUs to move beyond feature-for-feature swaps and seize this moment to modernize.
- CMOs & CX Leaders: In Digital Experience Starts at the Edge, we showed why your website and CRM are just as critical as your DBP.
Taken together, these insights laid the groundwork of our perspective on the Forge migration shift and what it necessitates. Now it’s time to put structure around them — with a practical Playbook every CU leader can use to self-assess where they are on their journey, and identify where they need to go.
The AEQ-5 Proven Migration Process
At AEQ, we call it AEQ-5: The Five Stages of a Seamless Platform Migration. It’s more than a project plan. It’s a leadership alignment framework that integrates strategy, technology, experience, and execution — relevant for CEOs, CIOs, CMOs, COOs, and Boards alike.
To bring this framework to life, we’ve visualized AEQ-5 as a clear, stage-by-stage process — from early planning to post-launch growth. This diagram illustrates the full journey: what each stage focuses on, what actions are required, and the outcomes credit unions can expect. Whether you’re just starting to explore your options or already deep into planning, AEQ-5 is a tool to align your executive team, clarify your roadmap, and execute with confidence.
Stage 1: Digital Ecosystem Planning
Before any platform choice, step back and design the bigger picture.
What does success look like for your members, your staff, and your CU as a whole?
We help leadership teams align on business goals, tech priorities, and member experience outcomes.
Outcome: A shared roadmap that prevents tactical “quick fixes” and keeps your CU focused on long-term strategy.
Stage 2: Platform Evaluation & Selection
This is where many get lost in vendor promises. With dozens of DBPs on the market, it’s easy to be dazzled by demos. Our process uses weighted scoring, proof-of-concepts, and stress-testing to ensure the platform fits your unique goals.
Outcome: Confidence in your decision — and assurance that your choice will still serve you 5+ years from now.
Stage 3: Experience Design & Data Mapping
At AEQ, we believe it is essential to draw up a blueprint before you build.
We map member journeys, design enhancements beyond “out of the box,” and create a data migration and integration plan that protects continuity while elevating experience.
Outcome: Risk reduction, smoother member adoption, and staff who aren’t forced into “human middleware” roles.
Stage 4: Implementation & Integration
Here’s where strategy becomes reality. APIs, middleware, data migration, and custom features are implemented. But we don’t stop at code —
We prepare staff and member communications to ensure adoption from day one.
Outcome: A reliable, future-ready platform that feels natural for members and staff alike.
Stage 5: Deployment & Adoption
Launch day is high-stakes. We support:
- phased rollouts,
- UAT testing,
- staff training, and
- optimization
Post-launch, we keep you moving with data-driven enhancements.
Outcome: A confident rollout — with your CU positioned to grow and adapt over the next decade.
Why AEQ-5 Matters Now
Forge sunsets in November 2026. But the real deadline is much sooner. By Fall 2025, you’ll need alignment on platform, partners, and architecture if you want to go live in 2026.
- Costly rework
- Fragmented systems
- Staff and members are burdened by poor design choices
With AEQ-5, you gain more than a process.
You gain a foundation for the next decade of growth, agility, and competitiveness.
Let’s Build Your Migration Playbook — Together
Whether you’re just starting to evaluate or already midstream with vendor conversations, the AEQ-5 process gives you a clear path to deliver with confidence, speed, and alignment. These five stages are more than steps —
they’re the foundation of a seamless migration and a modern, future-ready credit union.
Need help translating this playbook into action?
Let’s map your journey together.
Book a 30-minute strategy session with AEQ’s Forge Migration team to assess where you are — and where you need to go.
Coming Soon: Applying AEQ-5 and More Tools to Support Your Future-Proofing
In the coming weeks, we’ll be releasing a practical toolkit to support your CU at every stage of the migration journey. These include:
- A comprehensive downloadable guide with insights, frequently asked questions and common pitfalls per stage
- Dedicated posts for deep dive insight into each stage
- A self-assessment quiz to benchmark your CU’s readiness
- An executive checklist for strategy and governance alignment
- And more!
Stay tuned for these tools designed to make AEQ-5 actionable for every CU team — and to help you move from strategy to execution with clarity.
