You Can't Plan for Everything, but You Can Plan for Enough

In Episode 13 of Data Center Direction, Shaun is joined by Jordan Grimm, Director of Critical Pursuits and Planning at Shawmut Design and Construction, for an honest look at what it takes to deliver data centers right now. Schedules are tighter, designs are changing mid-build, the labor pool is stretched, and owners are asking GCs harder questions than ever. Jordan shares how his team plans for all of it, and where he thinks the industry is heading over the next five years. What we cover: •⁠ ⁠Why commissioning now needs to be involved from day one, not just before Level 3 •⁠ ⁠How liquid cooling is stretching commissioning schedules without giving teams any extra time •⁠ ⁠The rise of retrofits and builds that start with a partial design, and what that means for change orders and RFIs •⁠ ⁠What will separate the GCs that win hyperscale work: safety, quality, schedule and cost •⁠ ⁠Why labor attraction now affects every decision, from trade camps and per diem to how close a site is to an airport •⁠ ⁠How behind-the-meter power could reshape who wins the next wave of data center work •⁠ ⁠Why speed to market can outweigh cost, and what 24/7 sites mean for people •⁠ ⁠How a younger generation could change the way the industry attracts and keeps talent Whether you're building, commissioning, planning or recruiting for data centers, this one is worth your time. Follow Data Center Direction for more conversations on the future of the infrastructure behind AI and the cloud. #DataCenters #Construction #MissionCritical #Commissioning #Infrastructure