Rescuing the Relocation of a State-Critical Data Center

The client, a major state IT organization, faced a serious crisis: the relocation project of a data center serving key national security agencies had fallen 24 months behind schedule and was on the verge of collapse. The plan was divided into 16 subprojects, but lacked coordination, documentation, and unified management. Critical infrastructure for the BIS, Czech Police, and Ministry of the Interior was still trapped in a renovated building with no clear relocation plan. To secure EU funding, the project had to be completed — cancellation was not an option.

We joined the project at a point when no one else wanted to take it. We provided a consultant in the role of technical project manager for 24 months. His first step? Calm the situation, conduct a thorough analysis, and re-establish the basic rules of engagement.

The project was successfully completed on January 31, 2022. All infrastructure was relocated, the final report was delivered, and the building was handed over to the construction company for renovation. During our engagement, the original 16 subprojects expanded to 20 — but thanks to new management processes, the team handled it all without any service outages.

Even when a project seems lost, it doesn’t have to be. Such situations can be opportunities to learn from professionals and gain new tools for managing change. Under the guidance of an experienced consultant, even a crisis project can end successfully — while leaving behind valuable know-how that benefits the organization long-term.