The Top 9 Mistakes in Data Center Planning

by

Mike M. Hagan
John Lusky
Tuan Hoang, P.E.
Scott Walsh, P.E., LEED A.P.

Executive Summary

Why do so many data center builds and expansions fail? This white paper answers the question by revealing the top 9 mistakes organizations make when designing and building new data center space, and examines an effective way to achieve success through the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) approach.

Conclusion

1. Start with a Total Cost of Ownership approach
   • Evaluate your risk profile against your business expense profile
   • Create a model that incorporates CapEx, OpEx and energy costs

2. Determine your design criteria and performance characteristics
   • Base this criteria on your risk profile and business goals
   • Allow those criteria to truly determine the design, including tier level, location and space plan—not the other way around

3. Design with simplicity and flexibility
   • Use a design that will meet your uptime requirements, but will also keep costs low during construction and throughout operation - simplicity is key.
   • Accommodate unplanned expansion by incorporating flexibility into the design.

4. If PUE and LEED are part of your criteria, become educated on the common misunderstandings and expenses associated with each.

Through proper planning using the TCO approach, you can create a data center facility that meets your organization’s performance goals and business needs today and tomorrow.

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