As the need for data center’s grows at a seemingly exponential rate, companies like Data Specialties Inc. (DSI) are constantly seeking ways to meet their clients needs. With power capacity and uptime being the highest priority of growing data centers, energy efficiency and management becomes an increasingly critical factor in data center operations. This means that construction project managers need the technical knowledge and skills to confidently incorporate energy services into their projects.
In this blog post, we’ll explore how itty bit Better empowered DSI with a custom energy curriculum for their project managers to become leaders in energy-efficient data center solutions.
Resources
If you’re new to Energy Services, learn how to do preliminary evaluations with this first pass, no math, worksheet.
About Data Specialties Inc. (DSI)
Data Specialties Inc. (DSI) is a leading provider of data center design and construction services. With a focus on delivering cutting-edge solutions, DSI has built a reputation for excellence in the industry. As data centers become more energy-intensive, DSI recognized the need to expand their offerings to include energy efficiency services that help clients optimize power usage, reduce operational costs, and meet sustainability goals.
The Challenge: Bridging the Knowledge Gap
Despite the growing demand for energy-efficient solutions in data centers, DSI faced a critical challenge: their project managers lacked the technical knowledge needed to confidently discuss and implement energy services. Without proper training, they were missing opportunities to position DSI as a leader in energy-efficient data center solutions.
The Solution: Custom Energy Curriculum by itty bit Better
To address this knowledge gap, DSI partnered with itty bit Better (IBB) to develop a tailored curriculum designed specifically for project managers in the data center industry. The program aimed to educate project managers on fundamental energy concepts, provide a structured approach to incorporating energy services into their workflow, and equip DSI’s team with technical knowledge, reporting skills, and data analysis tools to enhance their projects.
Course Structure and Highlights
The custom energy curriculum was designed to fit seamlessly within DSI’s existing workflow, with bi-weekly classes covering a wide range of energy topics. From energy basics and sales processes to demand management and energy economics, the course provided a comprehensive overview of the key considerations for energy-efficient data centers. Each session was supplemented with technical reports, industry best practices, and hands-on exercises to ensure practical application of the concepts learned.
Results and Impact
The impact of the custom energy curriculum on DSI’s project managers was significant. They gained enhanced technical knowledge, improved data utilization skills, and comprehensive reporting capabilities. By integrating energy services into their offerings, DSI was able to position itself as a forward-thinking company ready to meet the evolving needs of data center clients. The training program not only empowered individual project managers but also contributed to DSI’s overall competitive advantage in the industry.
Why Choose itty bit Better?
IBB’s industry-specific expertise, customizable training programs, and proven track record make them an ideal partner for companies looking to improve their energy knowledge and effectiveness. Beyond training, IBB offers comprehensive support, including technical documentation, energy analysis methodologies, and process optimization. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by data center professionals, IBB is well-equipped to deliver tailored solutions that drive results.
Not ready for a project, but want to think at this level?
I’m building a private community of contractors and engineers who want to sharpen how they approach energy, data, and project decisions.
Each month, I release a new lesson as I build the full course, and the community gets early access, discussion, and input.
Become an IBBee 
Sign up for the Buzz Bulletin for early access and community invites.
Who Would Benefit from a Similar Program?
While this program was developed for a contractor building data centers, the framework itself is highly adaptable. Because it is custom-built, it can be scaled down to target a very specific skill gap within a team, or expanded to support broader department objectives and long-term business goals.
This type of curriculum is valuable for contractors looking to confidently add energy services to their offerings, construction and engineering firms integrating sustainability into projects, developers and operators seeking stronger energy oversight, and project managers who need clearer reporting and decision-making structures.
It can also support larger corporations that want to strengthen internal energy leadership by equipping project teams, facilities staff, and operations managers to become better energy managers within their own organizations.
At its core, the program equips organizations to replace reactive problem-solving with proactive, strategic energy management aligned with business objectives.
This project demonstrates what happens when energy education is treated as a strategic investment, not an afterthought. With the right structure, teams don’t just understand energy — they lead it. If you’re ready to strengthen how your organization approaches energy performance, let’s build something that fits.