The data center life cycle is typically divided into four stages:
* Design (scope, architecture, planning)
* Implement (construction, installation, testing & commissioning)
* Operate/Optimize (day-to-day operations, maintenance, continuous improvement)
* Retire (decommissioning and migration)
Testing and commissioning occur in the Implement stage, after construction but before handover. This includes Integrated Systems Testing (IST), which validates that all systems (electrical, cooling, fire protection, telecom) perform to design intent and redundancy requirements.
Without commissioning, the data center cannot be certified or considered operational.
References: Uptime Institute Commissioning Guidelines, ANSI/TIA-942-B Annex F (Lifecycle), ISO/IEC
30182.