Data Center Program Management

Data center migration programs require coordination across multiple departs/divisions within a company and can be incredibly complex. Additionally, such programs typically involve millions of dollars and the company's most critical applications. As such it is important that these programs are well thought, well planned, flawlessly executed, and rigorously monitored. Below I offer five tips to help ensure successful program management.

1) Use Tools that Work: 
 While "one-size fits all" might work well for hats or gloves, it is not a good idea in Data Center Migration program management. I've seen some clients with incredibly over-engineered tools and processes. Others have no standards at all. What's important is not the complexity or simplicity of the tools, it is, rather, to ensure that the tools fit the culture and capabilities of the company and that the meet the data transparency needs of the program. Some companies might be OK with basic excel spreadsheets, but would be overwhelmed by complex, custom built PM tools. Other companies are going to require something more involved and will be comfortable adapting to a new tool. Companies should understand that there are not one-size fits all tools, but only one size fits now tools. 



2) Adapt Best Practices
It is critical that any Project Management Office (PMO) adapts as the project moves forward. As more information becomes known and lessons from early successes and failures are learned, the project managers must discard broken processes and ineffective tools, while promoting those that work well. Additionally, and equally as important, the PMO must also search for best practices wherever they exist. We all bring best practices from our own experience, but a great PMO will look outside the company and will look to other departments and programs within the company. A great PMO will get better as the project progresses. 



3) Engage Key Leadership
I really probably should put this first, as it is by far the most important factor in project success or failure. I don't mean a strong project manager when I say engaged leadership, I mean the project must have an active executive within the organization who checks on the project regularly, holds the project team accountable for deadlines and goals, and champions the program to others within the company - removing roadblocks and opening avenues for collaboration. Additionally, a engaged executive can often expedite key decisions. 


4) Measure, Measure, Measure
It is an old cliché that "what gets measured gets done", but it's a persistent cliché for a reason. It's true. When designing program plans, it is essential to ensure that the proper metrics are created and the proper deadlines set.  Equally as important, these deadlines and metrics, as well as progress against them, must be clearly and regularly communicated to the project team members. 


5) Know What You Are Migrating

photo by Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory (Flickr Creative Commons)

When migrating from one data center to another, it is inevitable that servers and applications are going to come offline, sometimes for hours at a time. The important factor is to make sure the outage is well publicized to all stakeholders. Oftentimes the applications on a server impacts users far beyond the core project team, the IT department, and even the office location. The project team must identify EVERY application on the server (as well as all storage files, back ups, etc. I can tell you from experience, that failing to identify even one of these applications can have catastrophic consequences.  This is definitely one of those situations where you need to check, double-check, then check again. Make sure you know what you're moving. 


While this list is by no means comprehensive. Data center migration program management is tremendously complex and could hardly be covered 30 blog posts, let alone one. But keeping these 5 points in mind will minimize the risk for the program. 


Good Talk,
Tom