Elevating Greenway Health with Drupal 11: A Next-Level Experience

Migration Approach 

1. Assessment & Planning 

   • Conducted a site audit to identify deprecated code and module compatibility issues. 

   • Created a roadmap to mitigate risks and ensure a smooth transition.

2. Codebase & Module Updates 

   • Updated all contributed modules to their Drupal 11-compatible versions where available. 

   • Applied patches to contributed modules that lacked official Drupal 11 support. 

   • Refactored custom modules to remove deprecated code. 

   • Ensured the theme was compatible with Drupal 11’s changes. 

3. Theme Updates & UI Enhancements:

   •  Refactored Twig templates to match Drupal 11's theme structure. 

   • Optimized CSS and JavaScript to align with new front-end improvements. 

   • Conducted visual regression testing to prevent UI inconsistencies. 

4. CKEditor Upgrade & Content Migration 

   • Upgraded CKEditor from version 4 to 5. 

   • Redeveloped custom CKEditor plugins to function with CKEditor 5. 

   • Migrated content to match the updated HTML structure while preserving styling and consistency. 

   • Ensured seamless user experience post-migration. 

   • Significant Effort in CKEditor Upgrade: While the Drupal core upgrade process was seamless, the CKEditor plugin upgrade required substantial time and effort due to plugin redevelopment and content migration challenges. 

5. Testing & Quality Assurance 

   • Performed extensive testing in a staging environment. 

   • Conducted performance benchmarking before and after migration. 

   • Validated integrations with third-party services. 

6. Deployment & Post-Migration Checks 

   • Deployed the upgraded site during a low-traffic period. 

   • Monitored system performance and resolved any post-migration issues.

Results & Benefits 

• Enhanced Performance: Improved page load speeds and overall responsiveness. 

• Stronger Security: Upgraded architecture ensured better protection against vulnerabilities. 

• Future-Ready Platform: Drupal 11's latest features positioned Greenway Health for long-term scalability. 

• Seamless Transition: Achieved a smooth migration with minimal disruption to users. 

Conclusion 

The successful upgrade of Greenway Health’s website to Drupal 11 demonstrates the benefits of staying up to date with the latest Drupal releases. Through careful planning and execution, the transition not only improved site performance and security but also positioned the organization for future innovation.