Traditional data center construction has long followed a linear model from design and procurement through to construction and operation, but the competitive pace of industry delivery today has fundamentally shifted this reality.
In the AI era, speed to capacity has become a defining metric of success, turning industrialized delivery into a critical competitive advantage.
Scott Smyth, founder and CEO at Soben, part of Accenture, has witnessed this transformation unfold firsthand. Under his leadership, Soben has evolved into a trusted advisor to hyperscalers and colocation developers navigating increasingly compressed delivery schedules across the data center market.
Its acquisition by Accenture reflects broader changes across the sector, combining Soben’s expertise in commercial management, project controls, and delivery with Accenture’s digital capabilities and global scale.
It’s not just about demand anymore – there’s a shift in expectations now in speed to capacity, which is now a board-level KPI
