In our previous blog, we introduced the 9 critical phases of a successful data center move — a framework that helps reduce cost, control risk, and manage time more effectively. Over the next few posts, we’ll explore each of these phases in depth.

Let’s start with one of the most important and often overlooked phases: Governance.

What Is Governance and Why Does It Matter?

Governance defines who makes the decisions, how those decisions get made, and who is held accountable throughout the data center relocation process. Without clear governance, even the best-laid plans can collapse into confusion, delays, and budget overruns.

Think of Governance as the operating system for your entire project: if it’s weak or undefined, everything slows down.

4 Steps to Strong Governance

Here’s how to set up a simple but effective governance structure:

1. Identify Key Stakeholders

Clarify who has decision-making authority for technical, financial, and operational matters. Assign clear roles to avoid overlap or indecision.

2. Engage an External Advisor

Bringing in an experienced third party (like a data center relocation expert) adds objectivity, speeds up decision-making, and helps resolve internal gridlock.

3. Publish the Governance Framework

Create a clear document that outlines how decisions will be made, who approves what, and how issues are escalated. Share it early and often.

4. Commit to Regular Governance Meetings

Don’t let governance become passive. Schedule focused, recurring meetings with the right people and clear agendas to ensure momentum.

Common Governance Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Even with a structure in place, these pitfalls can derail your data center move:

❌ No Agenda

Unstructured, ad hoc meetings waste time and lead to confusion. Always set an agenda in advance.

❌ No Urgency

Governance meetings should accelerate progress, not stall it. Use real-time collaboration tools and enforce deadlines.

❌ Too Much Politics

A data center relocation is no place for turf wars. Appoint a strong, neutral leader who can rise above internal politics.

❌ No Accountability

If no one wants to own the move, assign a Data Center Move Commander — someone with the authority and responsibility to drive execution.

Consensus ≠ Speed or Accuracy

While consensus can help with buy-in, it doesn’t guarantee the best or fastest decision. In fact, it often slows down the process. For mission-critical projects like a data center move, it’s more important to have the right decision-maker than to ensure every voice is heard equally.

Need Help Establishing Governance?

Strong governance sets the tone for the entire relocation effort. At Electronic Transport Corporation, we’ve helped countless organizations structure their governance process to enable clarity, control, and confidence from day one.

📞 Contact us today for a No Obligation Consultation on your data center move. We’ll help you build a governance plan that keeps your project on track and your leadership aligned.