Navigating the Future of Data Center Project Management

Jun 3, 2025

Sean Farney, Vice President of Data Center Strategy and Innovation at JLL, shares his expertise in data center project management. He discusses the urgent need for liquid cooling retrofits as technology advances, highlighting a significant opportunity for enhancing efficiency. Farney also addresses the innovative strategy of adaptive reuse, turning non-traditional spaces into data centers while promoting sustainability. He emphasizes the growing importance of energy efficiency and the integration of AI as critical factors shaping the future of data centers.

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INSIGHT

Project Management's New Renaissance

Rapid innovation in data centers is driving a renaissance in project management, especially with liquid cooling and high power density for AI.
JLL leverages deep operational experience to manage complex upgrades effectively and revitalizes old data centers.

INSIGHT

AI Drives Urgent Retrofits

Enterprises now urgently plan retrofits for AI, deploying liquid cooling technologies amid evolving choices.
Planning agile, extensible infrastructure is key to adapt to unknown future tech shifts in AI data center needs.

INSIGHT

Adaptive Reuse Boosts Sustainability

Adaptive reuse, converting old buildings to data centers, is key as prime new sites dwindle and co-location vacancies hit record lows.
It enhances sustainability by saving embodied carbon and speeds up revenue generation versus greenfield builds.

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The data center industry is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by technological advancements, sustainability concerns, and evolving market demands. This conversation with JLL data center expert Sean Farney explores the world of data center project management, offering insights into current challenges and opportunities.

One of the most significant trends in the industry is the growing need for liquid cooling retrofits. With only 4.6% of global data center critical load currently supporting liquid cooling, there's a substantial opportunity for upgrading existing facilities to meet the demands of high-density computing. This shift is driven by rapid advancements in chip technology, forcing data centers to adapt quickly to maintain efficiency and performance.

Adaptive reuse has emerged as another key strategy in the data center sector. This approach involves converting non-traditional spaces into data centers or updating existing facilities for new technologies. Beyond addressing capacity demands, adaptive reuse offers significant sustainability benefits, aligning with the industry's growing focus on environmental responsibility.

Energy efficiency and sustainability are critical considerations in modern data center design and operations. Often driven by cost savings, these initiatives are reshaping the industry. For instance, some estimates suggest that liquid cooling can reduce carbon impact by up to 40% in new facilities, highlighting the potential for both operational and environmental improvements.

The global nature of data center operations presents unique challenges for project managers. Navigating complex regulatory environments across different markets requires a deep understanding of local codes and standards while meeting global corporate objectives. This complexity underscores the need for project management teams with both global reach and local expertise.

As the industry grapples with a significant talent shortage, innovative approaches to attracting, training, and retaining skilled professionals are crucial. Comprehensive training programs and strategies for bridging the skills gap are becoming increasingly important in this rapidly evolving field.

Emerging technologies continue to shape the future of data center project management. The integration of AI and machine learning in facility management is becoming more common, while the potential impact of quantum computing looms on the horizon. Project managers must stay ahead of these technological shifts to deliver future-ready facilities.

As the data center industry continues to evolve, project management will play a crucial role in delivering cost-effective, efficient, and future-ready facilities. By addressing key challenges such as energy efficiency, technological adaptation, global operations, and talent management, project managers can help transform data center portfolios into strategic assets that support critical business objectives.