My family once had some friends who decided to build their “dream house.” I still remember the day we went over to see it. I was amazed at how much their dreams and mine were so much in alignment. All the kids had their own rooms, there was a massive playroom with its own kitchen, and enough bathrooms that no one would ever have to wait, no matter how long a certain sister took to get ready in the morning. As we drove away I could only look back in envy at the Valhalla they had erected.
Two years later they got divorced. It seems that the home of their dreams was, in reality, a financial nightmare — they went a teeny bit over budget — and the property they built on because of its affordability, resulted in commutes that made the Bataan death march look like a pleasant stroll. I use this cautionary tale as an example of just how wrong things can go in even the most exciting of projects and to help you ensure that your next data center project doesn’t result in acrimony, accusations, recriminations … and with everyone having to wait to use the bathroom.