Certified DCOS Lead Implementer (CDLI®)

Modern data centers are under constant pressure: 24/7 uptime expectations, increasing system complexity, skills shortages, compliance demands, and zero tolerance for human error. Many operational incidents are not caused by technology failure, but by inconsistent processes, unclear roles, and undocumented procedures. Without a structured operations framework, risks multiply, leading to downtime, safety incidents, and inefficient day-to-day operations.

The Certified DCOS Lead Implementer (CDLI^®) is a 3-day course that addresses these challenges by equipping professionals with the knowledge and practical skills to implement the EPI Data Center Operations Standard (DCOS^®) effectively.

Through a structured, real-world approach, participants learn how to translate DCOS^® requirements into actionable policies, procedures, and controls, enabling safer, more resilient, auditable, and consistently operated data centers.

The primary audience for this course includes data center specialists, facilities/operations managers, project managers and data center consultants who work in and around data centers and are responsible for ensuring and enhancing their availability and manageability.

Participants are required to hold a valid CDFOS^® certification. CDFOM^® certification is highly beneficial but not mandatory.

After completion of the course, participant will be able to:

• Design, implement, and sustain a structured, standards-based data center operations environment
• Understand the EPI Data Center Operations Standard (DCOS^®) and its practical application
• Reduce operational risk through consistent processes, roles, and controls
• Improve uptime, safety, and incident prevention
• Enhance audit readiness and regulatory compliance
• Enhance team performance through defined responsibilities and documented procedures
• Gain practical skills to lead DCOS^® implementation projects end-to-end
• Gain additional professional credibility as a certified operations lead

Introduction to Data Center Operations Management

• Data center management and operations
• Evolution of data center management
• The cost and effects of data center downtime
• The benefits of data center management 

DCOS^® – Key Concepts and Principles

• Data center management and operations
• DCOS^® scope
• Maturity levels
• Progressive improvement
• ISO alignment
• DCOS^® vs. ISO

Terms and Definitions

• Terms and definitions
• Terms and definitions explained

Identification of Current State

• Identify the current state

Project Management

• Obtaining senior management approval
• Leadership
• Managing organizational change
• Communication
• Skill sharing
• Support and motivation
• Project plan

Key Elements for DCOS^® Implementation

• Select a scope
• Identify the maturity level
• Implementation approach
• Roles and responsibilities
• Performing a gap analysis
• Developing / updating documentation
• Document management system
• Training and awareness
• Operating the scope
• Monitor and control

Implementation of the Data Center Operations Standard

• Management System
• Service Level Management
• Organization
• Safety and Crisis Management
• Security Management
• Project Management
• Facilities Management
• Data Center Operations
• Environmental Sustainability
• Monitoring / Reporting / Control
• Organizational Resilience
• Governance, Risk and Compliance

Preparing for Certification Audit

• Monitor and control
• Evidence gathering
• Internal audit
• Request third-party certification audit

Certification Audit Process

• Proposal and audit agreement
• Audit process
• DCOS^® audit report
• Corrective Actions Report (CAR)
• Certification

Certification and Maintenance

• The full audit cycle
• Issuing DCOS^® certification
• Requirements of the certificate
• Registration of certificate
• Surveillance audit
• Recertification audit
• Transition (conversion) audit

The CDLI^® course is lectured by an EPI Certified Instructor using a combination of lectures and question-and-answer sessions to discuss participants’ specific needs and challenges experienced in their own data center environments. Participants are able to tap into the extensive experience of the trainer enabling them to validate and improve their own environments thus adding tremendous business value.

CDLI^® course is available in the following delivery methods:

• ILT – Instructor Led Training (Schedule)
• VILT – Instructor Led Training (Schedule)

The exam is a 60-minute closed book exam, with 40 multiple-choice questions. The candidate requires a minimum of 27 correct answers to pass the exam.

Candidates who successfully pass the exam will receive the o­fficial ‘Certified DCOS Lead Implementer’ certificate. The CDLI^® certi­ficate is issued for the DCOS^® version current at the time, which the candidate tested for. The certi­ficate itself does not expire and stays relevant only for the stated DCOS^® version.

The CDLI^® course is accredited by EXIN, which is a global, independent and not-for-pro­fit accreditation and examination provider. EXIN's mission is to improve the quality of the IT and data center sectors, the proficiency of IT and data center professionals and the IT users, by means of accreditation of course material as well as independent examination and certifi­cation.

To further extend your skills, we recommend the CDIA^® and CDLA^® courses. CDIA^® enables participants to develop skills and knowledge to conduct an internal audit program by applying widely recognized audit principles, procedures and techniques which are aligned with the ISO-19011 auditing guideline. CDLA^® provides the knowledge and skills to become a lead auditor who is able to independently conduct DCOS^® conformity audits.

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