Certified Data Center Expert (CDCE®) - Online Classroom (exam included)

Certified Data Center Expert (CDCE®) - Online Classroom (exam included)

The Certified Data Centre Expert (CDCE®) course is the highest-level certification for professionals responsible for designing, building, upgrading, or relocating mission-critical data centres. This intensive 5-day program equips experienced practitioners with the expertise to evaluate business requirements, develop resilient infrastructure designs, assess technology solutions, and manage every stage of a data centre project—from initial planning through implementation, testing, handover, and retirement.

Through real-world case studies and practical exercises, participants learn to make strategic design decisions, validate technical solutions, and ensure mission-critical facilities achieve maximum availability, scalability, and operational resilience. Successful candidates earn a globally recognised certification that demonstrates advanced expertise in data centre design and project execution

Key Features

• 5 Days (8 hours/ day) Instructor-led Virtual Online Classroom
• Classroom available in English / Spanish / German (Contact us for confirmation)
• Advanced level for professionals
• Presentation & E-book included
• 60+ hours recommended study time 
• 1 Year access to the learning platform & exam voucher (included together)
• Program completion certification included

Learning Outcomes

• Design highly resilient mission-critical data centres.
• Analyse business requirements and develop comprehensive project plans.
• Evaluate suitable sites and infrastructure technologies.
• Perform capacity planning and facility sizing.
• Develop technical facility requirements and operational specifications.
• Select appropriate equipment and validate design solutions.
• Plan integrated equipment testing, commissioning, and handover.
• Manage the complete data centre lifecycle, including retirement and decommissioning.
• Reduce project risks while improving reliability and business continuity.
• Apply industry best practices for world-class data centre projects.

Target Audience

This course is ideal for experienced professionals involved in the planning, design, implementation, or modernization of mission-critical data centres, including:

• Data Centre Design Engineers
• Data Centre Consultants
• Facilities and Infrastructure Managers
• Project Managers overseeing data centre projects
• Mechanical and Electrical Engineers
• IT Infrastructure Architects
• Data Centre Construction and Commissioning Professionals
• Professionals responsible for data centre expansion, relocation, or refurbishment

Prerequisites

• Participants must hold a valid Certified Data Centre Specialist (CDCS®) certification before enrolling in the CDCE® course.
• Since CDCE® is an advanced-level certification, participants are expected to have practical experience in data centre infrastructure, design principles, and mission-critical facility operations.

Course Content

Data Centre Life Cycle

• Data centre lifecycle stages and phases
• Exercise: Stage/Phase/Milestone/Document mapping

Design Preparation

• Creation of a SON – Statement Of Need
• Technology review
• Conceptual sizing
• How to calculate for computer room space
• How to calculate facility space
• How to calculate incoming power
• Exercise: Conceptual sizing building and power
• Analysing capacity of existing facility
• Analysing investment options
• Site selection
• Permits and approvals
• Exercise: Site selection
• Conceptual design
• Budget and project timeline
• Business case preparation
• Project delivery structure
• Project management options
• Project manager and team

Design Planning

• OSRA – Operational Systems Requirement Analysis
• TFRA – Technical Facilities Requirement Analysis
• Operations and maintenance review
• RFP – Request For Proposal process
• Vendor selection

Design Development

• Project planning
• Design development
• PDR – Preliminary Design Review
• Equipment selection
• FDR/V – Final Design Review/Validation
• Exercise: Full design validation of power, cooling, floor plans, fire suppression
• Design freeze and LLTI
• Creation of construction documents
• BOM/BOQ – Bill Of Material/Bill Of Quantity
• Exercise: Equipment selection

Acquire

• Requirements of purchase orders
• Shipping terms
• FWT/FAT – Factory Witness Test/Factory Acceptance Test
• Sequencing
• Incoming goods inspection and handling
• Asset management

Construct

• Temporary essential services
• Erection of the building
• Permanent essential services
• Building inspection
• Snag list
• COF – Certificate Of Fitness

Fit-Out

• Fit-Out
• Builders cleaning
• As-Built Drawings

Test & Commissioning

• IET – Individual Equipment Test
• IPVT/IST – Integrated Performance Verification Test/Integrated Systems Test
• Common mistakes with IET/IPVT
• Deep cleaning
• Exercise: IET/IPVT scripting

Hand-Over

• Facility hand-over requirements and documents
• PCC – Practical Completion Certificate
• DLP – Defect Liability Period
• Defect Management
• ICT Systems Installation
• ICT Systems Testing
• Hand-Over/DLP Expiry
• FCC – Final Completion Certificate

Retirement

• Reasons and definitions of retirement
• Building the business case and project plan
• Sequencing
• Transfer of site
• Demolishing of site
• Legal matters
• FCC – Final Completion Certificate

Exam Format

The CDCE® certification exam consists of two closed-book examinations:

Part A

• 90 minutes
• 60 multiple-choice questions
• Pass mark: 45 correct answers (75%)

Part B

• 90 minutes
• 25 open-ended questions
• Pass mark: 75%

Certification

Candidates who successfully pass both exam components will receive the internationally accredited Certified Data Centre Expert (CDCE®) certification.

The certification is accredited by EXIN, a globally recognised independent certification and examination body. The certification remains valid for three years, after which recertification is required.

FAQ

How advanced is the CDCE® course?

CDCE® is the highest-level certification in EPI's Design & Build learning pathway and is intended for experienced data centre professionals managing complex infrastructure projects

What practical skills will I gain?

You'll learn how to evaluate business cases, create project briefs, perform facility sizing, select equipment, develop testing and commissioning plans, manage project handovers, and plan data centre retirement strategies.

Is the course hands-on?

Yes. The training combines instructor-led learning with practical exercises, case studies, technical evaluations, and project-based activities. Approximately 60% of the course is hands-on

Is the certification internationally recognised?

Yes. CDCE® is internationally accredited by EXIN and recognised globally as one of the most advanced certifications for professionals specialising in mission-critical data centre design and implementation.