Interview Question for Architect at Capita:

Look to identify individual 'services' i.e. mail system, sales ordering system, MIS etc that we could separate into a number of servers, storage etc. Then look to gather as much data on those servers as possible - from tech specs of servers\storage etc, to usage patterns, numbers of users, backup schedules, batch jobs and so on. Put on monitoring software to monitor the usage of those servers over a period of time to get an idea of their resource utilisation and busy times etc. Identify a number of virtual servers which could replace them - taking into account server consolidation in the process.

Requisition the appropriate amount of 'virtual servers' to replace the physical servers, commission these servers and if possible carry out a pilot phase.

Take P2V images and install these onto the commissioned virtual servers in Capita's datacentres.

Cutover in either big bang or using parallel running (dependent on systems).
Include a dress rehearsal phase for more complicated or important systems.