Headcount Model for Data Centre Construction
Ahadova, Farida (2025)
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025112930911
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025112930911
Tiivistelmä
This thesis work explores and examines the methods of workforce planning and management utilised in the Finnish Data Centre construction industry. The main objective of this work is to evaluate existing approaches to staff management, and whether these approaches meet the requirements for reliability, efficiency and adaptability. The thesis work also provides options for improving communications and process improvement for companies that manage a workforce on data centre construction projects.
The framework utilised in this work is theoretical, and it analyses project life cycle management and HR forecasting principles. This thesis reviews common approaches used in data centre construction in order to assess their effectiveness. Some of the main aspects of staff management on such projects include the utilization of advanced and tailored technologies, meeting of tight deadlines, high collaboration between departments in construction and managing staff with lean engineering principles in place. The diverse skill sets that are needed to succeed in construction projects of this scale are also addressed, where leadership and risk management prove crucial to effective workforce planning.
The study employs a mixed-methods approach, providing a pragmatic and holistic perspective. The research is tested using a survey that was conducted on a data centre project, and with additional input from interviews of construction managers on the project. These two sources are used to test and determine the efficiency of staffing processes in place on this project and other projects alike, and whether those processes meet the demands of lean engineering. The aim is to determine the main challenges faced and which tools can be used to improve the efficiency of staffing on hyperscale construction projects.
The findings show that any future headcount model must meet the differing needs of different stakeholders, change based on lifecycle phases, and note of risks considerations specific to commissioning and labour of varying skill levels.
The thesis concludes that the Data Centre construction sector has both the capacity and motivation to improve its workforce planning practices. The recommendations include developing structured communication processes, improving early-phase planning and increasing visibility of labour requirements across teams. These improvements would help organisation transition from reactive to proactive workforce planning, thereby reducing risk and strengthening project delivery reliability.
The framework utilised in this work is theoretical, and it analyses project life cycle management and HR forecasting principles. This thesis reviews common approaches used in data centre construction in order to assess their effectiveness. Some of the main aspects of staff management on such projects include the utilization of advanced and tailored technologies, meeting of tight deadlines, high collaboration between departments in construction and managing staff with lean engineering principles in place. The diverse skill sets that are needed to succeed in construction projects of this scale are also addressed, where leadership and risk management prove crucial to effective workforce planning.
The study employs a mixed-methods approach, providing a pragmatic and holistic perspective. The research is tested using a survey that was conducted on a data centre project, and with additional input from interviews of construction managers on the project. These two sources are used to test and determine the efficiency of staffing processes in place on this project and other projects alike, and whether those processes meet the demands of lean engineering. The aim is to determine the main challenges faced and which tools can be used to improve the efficiency of staffing on hyperscale construction projects.
The findings show that any future headcount model must meet the differing needs of different stakeholders, change based on lifecycle phases, and note of risks considerations specific to commissioning and labour of varying skill levels.
The thesis concludes that the Data Centre construction sector has both the capacity and motivation to improve its workforce planning practices. The recommendations include developing structured communication processes, improving early-phase planning and increasing visibility of labour requirements across teams. These improvements would help organisation transition from reactive to proactive workforce planning, thereby reducing risk and strengthening project delivery reliability.