Ctrl + Build: The Data Centre Balancing Act – Why Commissioning Risk is the Biggest Blind Spot in Today’s Builds

This is the first instalment of Ctrl + Build — Procore’s new series exploring the fast, complex, high-stakes world of data centre construction. From commissioning risk to carbon strategy, we’re unlocking what it takes to build smarter, safer and sharper.

Data centres may look like simple structures – steel, slab and services – but inside, they’re complex, high-stakes, precision-built environments. That paradox exposes builders to risk, especially during commissioning.

What Makes Data Centres Different?

The explosion in data demand is fuelling a global boom in data centre construction. 

“Exponential” is an overused term – but in this case, it’s accurate. The pace of investment in data centres has become almost impossible to quantify. Each new report offers an estimate larger than the last. 

Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, crypto mining and the Internet of Things are driving ever-greater demand for processing power – and the infrastructure to support it must scale rapidly in response.

An ecosystem of hyperscalers, developers, equipment manufacturers, utilities companies and infrastructure investors are coalescing around three clear objectives: scalability, reliability and efficiency. 

The stakes are high and speed to market is critical. In the race to meet demand, delivery risk is escalating. While many builders see data centres as just another infrastructure project, those who’ve done it before know: the biggest risks lie where you least expect them.

Not in the structure, but in the systems. Not in the slab, but in the services. And especially, in the final mile that brings it all together: commissioning.

Asia Pacific Data Centre Cost Guide, 2025. Data Centre Cost Breakdown (Sydney, Melbourne, Perth)

More Than Meets the Site

At first glance, a data centre may seem like a tin shed on a concrete slab. But behind the façade lies critical systems built for uptime, security and scale. 

That’s why data centre delivery is about more than speed. It’s about precision. Nowhere is that more critical than in the final mile: commissioning. Consider:

• Uptime requirements: Tier 4 data centres aim for 99.995% uptime per year – that’s less than 26 minutes downtime. Missed commissioning steps or service faults can compromise this from day one.
• Redundancy layers: Most data centres have duplicate systems to ensure uptime. Managing these adds considerable complexity to design, commissioning and testing.
• Data security protocols: With hyperscale clients often housing sensitive or regulated data, any contractor working on a data centre build may be required to meet ISO 27001 compliance to ensure architectural, engineering and operations plans do not fall into the wrong hands.

Commissioning isn’t just the final step — it’s the tipping point between a functioning facility and a stalled investment.

Table 1: Data Centre Tiers and Reliability Standards

Sources: Uptime Institute, 2025; Uptime.is, 2025; Data Centre Info, n.d.

The Hidden Risk of Commissioning

Commissioning – the process of testing and verifying every system before go-live – is the most critical phase of a data centre build. Yet it is also the phase most likely to cause costly delays. Just some of the reasons include:

• Incomplete inspections: Systems can’t be certified for use unless every element has been reviewed and approved, often across multiple trades.
• Poor documentation: Paper-based defect lists or scattered spreadsheets lead to gaps in asset registers and inspection records.
• Service clashes: Mechanical, electrical and fire protection systems may interfere with each other if not coordinated upfront.
• Delayed utility integration: Power or data feeds from external providers may not be ready when needed.
• Lack of digital handover planning: Without a clear digital quality assurance process, key steps are missed, leading to retesting and rework.

Commissioning delays can add an average of 4–6 weeks to the delivery timeline, says Procore Solutions Engineer Simon Baker. 

On high-stakes hyperscale builds, the cost of sitting idle can be staggering. According to some estimate, hyperscale data centres can generate US$1 million per minute in revenue – meaning delays or outages can cost just as much.

Why Builders Fall Short

Traditional contractors, regardless of their experience, often approach data centre builds with a mindset shaped by commercial towers or warehouses. That works fine, until they reach commissioning. Why? Because:

• Service integration is not standardised across the industry
• Many subcontractors lack experience in high-precision environments
• Too many builders still rely on paper-based processes and ad hoc tracking tools.

In one extreme example, Simon Baker worked on a fully built data centre that was left idle for months because coordination with the utility provider fell through. The project had no power – and no plan B.

What Better Looks Like

Addressing commissioning risk isn’t about adding more process. It’s about doing the right things – earlier and smarter.

Three quarters of customers that use Procore report an average of 16% reduction in rework. This is a key metric for all builders, but especially for data centre project teams looking to hit the “right first time” standard that hyperscale clients now demand, Maryrose notes.

The bottom line? In data centre delivery, the finish line isn’t just handover. It’s performance from the first minute of uptime.

Commissioning remains the most under-recognised – and most consequential – risk in data centre delivery. Builders with a background in structure rather than services are especially vulnerable, often underestimating the complexity of commissioning until it’s too late.

The way forward is clear: standardisation, early service coordination, and digital workflows are essential to mitigating delays, avoiding costly rework, and protecting project margins. Real-time data captured during commissioning empowers smarter scheduling, forecasting, and decision-making across the project lifecycle.

By connecting every stakeholder to a single source of truth, Procore helps data centre project teams achieve greater visibility, accountability, and trust — driving sharper project outcomes and faster speed to revenue.

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