Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1180920
(continued on page 19) THE EVOLUTION OF THE DATA CENTER DESIGN CONSULTANT Those familiar with BICSI and the credential- ing program are accustomed to periodic subtle changes to individual credentials. Consider the Registered Communications Distribution Designer ® (RCDD ® ) creden- tial. Over its 35-year history, the RCDD has evolved significantly within telecommuni- cations and ICT design, but there has only been one iteration which contained significant changes. Some credentials do not have that luxury of a gradual evolution; a prime example is the BICSI Data Center Design Consultant ™ (DCDC™), the leading designation in the modern data center market. Founded in 2011, each iteration of the DCDC has contained modifications reflective of the rapid change and evolution seen with data centers. As the DCDC focuses on the individual, it is the creation, review and acceptance of the Job Task Analysis (JTA) by professionals within the industry that drives this evolution. With the breadth and diversity of BICSI and being uniquely located across all industry verticals, this avoids the inclusion of bias from certain sectors, business interests and short-term trends. INDUSTRY SHIFTS With the most recent DCDC iteration, a significant industry development was reflected—while new data centers are still being built, there has also been an increase in retrofits, technology upgrades and other activities centered around existing sites and data centers. This recent focus on convert- ing existing telecommunications central offices into edge data centers has many data centers entering their second or even third technology upgrade, with facilities and related infrastructure updates now part of an ongoing operational strategy. This shift is better illustrated in the DCDC exam blue- print, showing how the current credential's focus has shifted from just four years ago. The two areas of significant addition or expansion are Data Center Operations & Maintenance and Security. While the expansion of Operations & Maintenance seems counterintuitive for a design consultant, consider that operations & maintenance choices by the owner can affect design choices, from site and building layout to material finishes in flooring. And with retrofit/brownfield projects, ongoing site operations & maintenance practices can help inform how best to proceed. Representing 13 percent of the current DCDC exam, this area includes focus points, such as: • Conducting an optimization study • Assessing the current system state • Assessing the current efficiency of DC systems • Assessing the current capacity and growth capacity • Assessing the aging of technology and the need for a refresh CREDENTIALING Page 18 THE DCDC CREDENTIAL Sought by multidisciplinary trade profes- sions, the DCDC ™ credential is essential in all aspects of a new, upgraded or rebuilt project. One who earns the DCDC has proven his or her proficiency in design- ing, coordinating and/or managing the integration of the documentation, plans, specifications, construction and ongoing operational management activities of a data center facility while meeting appli- cable codes, standards and industry best practices. This includes addressing the requirements of the sponsor, architects, engineers, contractors, stakeholders, service providers and others involved. Developed internationally, the DCDC credential is recognized globally.