I think planning for growth in a data center, like many things in a data center, is specific to what equipment you are housing.
A co-location data center would have a majority of standard equipment racks.
My data center has about 100 racks of standard equipment, but then I have 7 mainframe (some dual frames), many SAN silos, free-standing DASD directors, and other supporting infrastructure that all have service clearances.
Though you need to get some idea from management on their 5-year outlook...what do they see the company doing and how will the technology branch get there. With that information, you can then oversize the data center by 1/4 to 1/3. People may scoff at empty floorspace, but the evolution of large pieces of infrastructure dictates that you need some slush floorspace for equipment to ebb & flow. you may need emergency floorspace for whatever reason. You may need open space to start out high-density racks until you can get proper cooling infrastructure in place.
Also, have a rough 5 year plan. As new technologies come into the picture, add them in early.
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YRCW Technologies
Kansas City
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