Certified Data Center Project Management (CDCPM®)

Establish a robust project baseline and a comprehensive plan for a complex, high value data center expansion project that demonstrates an accurate interpretation of the project scope and focuses on delivering project success in support of business strategy.

Program Overview

Working as a critical member of a multi-disciplinary project team, you will make a significant impact by exhibiting strong leadership qualities, optimizing tools and processes to implement effective stage management to ensure product quality and financial control.

Driven by the exponential demand for data processing and storage, and the need to bring services closer to the customer (the edge), the pressure to deliver additional data center facilities is a constant challenge for owners and operators. Highly skilled and dedicated project managers provide the confidence that facilitates the extension, build and renovation of facilities that contribute to the expansion of the global data center footprint.

The comprehensive Certified Data Center Project Management (CDCPM®) program is designed to provide in-depth knowledge into the application of processes, procedures, skills, knowledge and experience to deliver successful data center projects. The program first invites learners to evaluate the personal attributes that contribute to developing a successful project manager and prioritizes the main characteristics to consider.

Successful project management requires clear visibility of the organizational strategy and recognition of the importance of gaining maximum contribution from all project stakeholders. Situational awareness is key to proactivity, it enables managers to positively impact risk, have the foresight to accurately predict adverse outcomes and develop actions to prevent catastrophic failure of the project.

With a focus on a ‘concept to closure’ theme, the CDCPM® examines traditional principles and processes and tailors project management tools to the unique requirements of a critical infrastructure project. Tools such as Organizational Breakdown Structure (OBS), Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Programme Evaluation Review Techniques (PERT), Critical Path Analysis (CPA) and Earned Value Analysis (EVA) are all utilized throughout the program.

The program also examines the evaluation techniques that determine the success of the project, or the lessons that need to be learned to improve future projects. This activity poses questions. Was the project completed on time/on budget? Was it completed to the right quality standard? Have the strategic business benefits been realized and was the risk profile managed effectively?

Following this program, you are encouraged to continue your professional development by advancing your knowledge and skills to gain further official certifications and qualifications by progressing through The Global Digital Infrastructure Education Framework which maps education programs to career advancement throughout the network infrastructure and data center sectors.

Contact Us

Have questions or need help? Fill out the form and we will follow up with you right away.

Certified Data Center Project Management (CDCPM®) Program Details

Program Content
CDCPM® Topics

Data Center Review:
  • Data center categories
    • The 4 key constraints (the 4Cs):
      • Power
      • Cooling
      • Space
      • IT Infrastructure
        • Maintenance strategies
Data Center Design Principles
  • Examining opportunities for geographical location:
    • Live mapping natural disasters
    • Sustainable development
    • Resource availability:
      • Power
      • Cooling
      • IT connectivity
      • People (skill sets)
      • Equipment
      • Transport
    • Cost effective solutions
    • Security
    • Local restrictions (e.g. noise pollution)
    • Local government Incentives (financial, planning laws etc)
  • Resilience modeling
  • Cost
    • Construction costs
    • Operating costs
      • Power
      • Operations
      • Administration
      • Maintenance
The Multi-disciplined Team
  • Recognize key stakeholders, understand lines of communication and project escalation. Engage with:
    • Strategic leadership
    • Workstream managers
    • Subject matter experts (SMEs)
    • The design team
    • The implementation team
    • Quality assurance
    • Safety and security
Understanding the Data Center Build Project
  • Scope of works and review process (avoidance of scope creep)
  • Business drivers
  • Stakeholder relationships
  • Technical deliverables
  • Ongoing customer activities
  • Project controls
  • Contractual constraints and disturbances
  • Utility and vendor services
  • Communication
  • Escalation management and decision making
  • Documentation
  • Project closure
  • Measuring success
  • Writing lessons learned
  • Improving organizational projects
Attributes of a project manager
  • Understand management concepts
  • Communication style (internal and external)
  • Decision making
  • Inter-personal relationships
  • Delegation skills
  • Ability to meet key project objectives
  • Competence (appropriate technical knowledge)
Project Management Principles
  • Appreciate the role of the PM in a multi-disciplined high- value project
  • Core principles
  • Develop a clear understanding of the project objectives and critical deliverables
  • Create a structured plan defining the pathway to achievement
  • Monitor and manage project activities to maintain anticipated progress
  • Evaluate performance and develop appropriate strategies
Project Management Process
  • Project scope development (needs to be agreed and baselined)
  • Project estimation reviews
  • Quality planning
  • Quality control
  • Change management process
  • Configuration management processes
  • Health & safety (including CDM)
  • Stakeholder communications
    • Project meetings
    • Project reporting
  • Project deviation impact analysis
    • Cost fluctuation
    • TCO, ROI re-alignment
    • Customer satisfaction
  • Commissioning
  • Handover procedure & customer training
  • Projects closure and payment
Project Management Tools
  • Organization and Work breakdown Structures (OBS/WBS)
  • Precedence diagramming (project plan/ program)
  • Program Evaluation Review Techniques (PERT)
  • Critical Path Analysis (CPA)
  • Earned Value Management (EVM)
  • GANTT
    • Task planning
    • Resource leveling
    • Deconfliction
  • Risk management:
    • Risk Breakdown Schedule (RBS)
    • Quantitative Risk Management (QRM)
    • Risk Assumptions Issues and Dependencies (RAID)
Program Duration
Learner Profile
Pre-requisites
Program Requirements
Program Objectives
Qualification
Certification
Additional Awards
CDCPM® Benefits for Individuals
CDCPM® Benefits for Businesses
Further Learning