Before you begin
Make a copy or preserve a known working version before introducing production data or major changes.
Identify the person who will review uncertain, exceptional, or incorrect results.
Prepare the application
Your preview may be using examples or placeholder data. The next step is to identify the information the real app will use.
For each data source, answer
1. What information comes from it?
2. How will the app access it?
3. Which source wins if two systems disagree?
4. What information is sensitive?
5. What should happen when a field is missing?
6. How often does the information change?
Start with the smallest useful connection.
You may not need the entire database. You may need one table, one endpoint, one folder of approved documents, or one export.
For sensitive workflows, test with synthetic or de-identified data first. Confirm the workflow, permissions, and output before connecting production records.
A data connection is not successful because it transfers information. It is successful when the app knows which information to use, how to interpret it, and when to stop and ask for review.
Common mistakes
Connecting sources without identifying which one is authoritative.
Mixing approved and unapproved content.
Skipping permissions, retention, and data-handling requirements.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a preview and production?
A preview proves that the workflow can exist. Production adds realistic data, tests, permissions, monitoring, deployment, support, and a defined response when the system is wrong.
Do I need to complete every production step at once?
No. Identify the next material risk and address it. Typical next risks are data, evaluation, edge cases, deployment, or human review.