Building an IT Data Centre? Let PRINCE2 Help!

The construction industry has always been seen as the primary stomping ground for PRINCE2 certification, with many of the world’s leading brands having already adopted the approach as standard. In fact, many construction and development companies will only take on individuals in a project management capacity if they have studied PRINCE2 project management and proved themselves able to follow its unique methodology. 

The name ‘Projects in a Controlled Environment’ largely explains what PRINCE2 all is about – taking any project of any size and transforming it into a manageable endeavour with a strategic roadmap and checklist to follow along the way. What’s more, it’s the kind of philosophy that’s workable and implementable across every industry imaginable, ranging from simple customer service roles to the biggest construction projects. It remains one of the only universally relevant approaches to project management, which, when implemented, cannot fail to revolutionise performance and output. 

For example, building an IT data centre is the kind of project wherein a thousand and one considerations and variables must be accounted for to pull the project off. Before even getting off the ground in the first place, those involved must be aware of the importance of defining the various stages of the build process to ensure that each stage is controlled, monitored, analysed and optimised fully. This represents the core of the PRINCE2 methodology, which addresses all key stages of any project and brings the utmost control. A mix of internal and external factors influence the approach to building a data centre. 

The most controlling factor is the budget, both for the initial building and the long-term operation, as these centres require a large amount of power, cooling security and maintenance to operate, which have been quoted in 2010 as making up 65% of a total IT data centre’s cost. This is set out in the Business Case and may also be in the Project Brief stage. PRINCE2 thinking allows businesses to avoid hidden or unexpected costs that may cause issues later. A project implementing such a high level of concentrated electrical equipment in operation around the clock must also adhere to legal fire safety standards and residential guidelines. Furthermore, some demands are not realised until the time comes to upgrade the data centre – how to dispose of the equipment legally, responsibly, and ethically and ensure forward compatibility. Using PRINCE2 to gain a comprehensive overview of the project, from conception to completion, should lead to a smooth and best-practised project when it is in operation. 

It’s a simple fact that when and where any project is not adequately controlled during any of its stages, it runs the risk of overrunning, exceeding the available budget, or perhaps falling apart altogether. And as the only adequate level of control is total, it’s little wonder that PRINCE 2 Project Management is fast becoming a prerequisite for applicants looking to get into the field. 

The core principles of the PRINCE2 training program may be complex and intricate, but they are, in fact, geared toward total simplicity. Those who successfully study for and pass their PRINCE 2 exam will find themselves much better equipped to tackle even the largest of projects, which can be made much more manageable when broken down into controllable stages. PRINCE2 is all about simplifying the core structure of the project to control and implement each stage better, optimise output, and facilitate faster, more affordable results. 

No two construction jobs are ever identical, making PRINCE2 the ideal qualification to study for. Rather than targeting a single area of the trade or an element of the building process, PRINCE 2 training can be applied to any construction job of any size, magnitude, and purpose. It has the potential to revolutionise what any project manager and, by extension, the business they work for are capable of.