There are two major categories for budgeting data centers and several sub-categories under each. Let’s look at the two major ones – facilities and IT. By and large they are interdependent, and it is risky to plan for one without understanding the other. Assuming that the underlying need for a new data center is already established, the budgeting process should begin with IT.
IT Planning
The IT planning process will articulate the IT objectives of the data center and relate it back to the core business strategy it is intended to support. The IT planning process looks a lot like a combination of field surveys, staff interviews and interactive workshops, all designed to get everyone on the same page with existing conditions, areas of improvement, financial targets and growth projections. Combined with a little crystal ball gazing into the near future, the IT plan will result in a budget.
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