Stage 1: Evaluating the Need
You are assessing whether modernization is required and what the scope might be.
Conduct an informal infrastructure inventory
Output: A list of all infrastructure components with age, support status, and known performance limitations.
Identify the workloads that current infrastructure cannot support
Output: A list of planned or required workloads: AI, high-density compute, cloud-native applications, that the current facility cannot support.
Identify compliance gaps
Output: A list of compliance requirements that the current infrastructure cannot satisfy, with the regulatory framework and specific control that is not met.
Estimate the cost of inaction
Output: An estimate of the annual cost of maintaining current infrastructure: maintenance, energy, downtime risk, compared to the cost of modernization.
Stage 2: Building the Business Case
You have identified the need and are building the case for executive approval.
Commission a formal infrastructure assessment
Output: A documented baseline of current state, gap analysis, and preliminary scope and budget range from a qualified system integrator.
Quantify the business impact of the capability gaps
Output: A documented estimate of the revenue, operational, and strategic impact of the workloads that current infrastructure cannot support.
Build the TCO comparison
Output: A 7–10 year total cost of ownership comparison between modernization and maintaining current infrastructure.
Identify the executive sponsor
Output: A named executive sponsor with budget authority and decision-making power who will champion the program.
Stage 3: Preparing for Vendor Engagement
The business case has been approved and you are preparing to engage vendors.
Document requirements
Output: A requirements document covering workload requirements, performance requirements, compliance requirements, availability requirements, and operational model.
Develop the RFP
Output: An RFP that specifies performance requirements, scope requirements, evaluation criteria, and contract terms. See the Buying Guide for RFP requirements.
Build the vendor shortlist
Output: A shortlist of 3–5 qualified vendors based on demonstrated experience, certifications, and geographic capability. Do not issue an open RFP.
Establish the evaluation team
Output: A named evaluation team with representatives from IT, operations, legal/compliance, and finance.
Stage 4: Vendor Selection
You are evaluating vendor responses and selecting a partner.
Issue the RFP to the shortlist
Output: RFP responses from 3–5 qualified vendors.
Conduct reference checks
Output: Verified references from comparable projects completed in the last 24 months.
Conduct site visits
Output: Site visits to comparable completed projects for the top 2 vendors.
Negotiate the contract
Output: A fixed-price contract with defined deliverables, acceptance criteria, commissioning requirements, and warranty terms.
Stage 5: Program Launch
The contract is executed and the program is ready to begin.
Conduct the program kickoff meeting
Output: Scope confirmation, timeline review, communication plan, escalation procedures, and stakeholder introductions.
Establish the program governance structure
Output: Named program manager, steering committee, decision authority matrix, and change order process.
Begin the assessment phase
Output: Current-state documentation, gap analysis, and project-specific timeline and budget.
Begin migration planning in parallel
Output: Migration sequence, rollback procedures, maintenance windows, and acceptance criteria.
Engaging DCS Global
DCS Global provides infrastructure assessments, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and ongoing operations for enterprise data center modernization programs across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. The engagement begins with an infrastructure assessment: a documented baseline of current state, gap analysis, and preliminary scope and budget range.
The assessment is the right starting point