Accredited Operations Professional (AOP)
As an Accredited Operations Professional (AOP), you will be better equipped to design and operate world-class data center operations than most of your peers.
Program Overview
IT environments are becoming increasingly complex. To manage them effectively, digital infrastructure managers, supervisors and senior executives need to have advanced knowledge to achieve business objectives across both the physical facility and critical IT systems. The AOP program is designed for Accredited Operations Specialist and Accredited Tier Specialist alumni that are looking to expand their knowledge and take their careers to the next level.
The AOP program teaches site and portfolio-level governance and management concepts, holistic portfolio management approach, and real-life application to meet business and availability objectives.
The AOP is a 16 hour remote program with an accreditation examination covering expanded operations and management strategies for data centers, as well as the translation of complex IT strategy into initiatives and programs to achieve business objectives. The curriculum teaches both principles and practical application. Program material is advanced and intended for facility managers, supervisors or senior executives
Why the Accredited Operations Professional (AOP)?
This program covers a comprehensive range of management topics including operations strategy, working with IT initiatives and planning for IT efficiency, bringing existing knowledge up-to-date with modern and innovative advanced applications.
The benefits of earning the AOP credential include:
The AOP program teaches site and portfolio-level governance and management concepts, holistic portfolio management approach, and real-life application to meet business and availability objectives.
The AOP is a 16 hour remote program with an accreditation examination covering expanded operations and management strategies for data centers, as well as the translation of complex IT strategy into initiatives and programs to achieve business objectives. The curriculum teaches both principles and practical application. Program material is advanced and intended for facility managers, supervisors or senior executives
Why the Accredited Operations Professional (AOP)?
This program covers a comprehensive range of management topics including operations strategy, working with IT initiatives and planning for IT efficiency, bringing existing knowledge up-to-date with modern and innovative advanced applications.
The benefits of earning the AOP credential include:
- Increased competitive advantage in the market; qualify for more challenging management environments with the recognition of AOP
- Improve efficiency and effectiveness in data center operations
- Lead mixed IT environments with confidence, using your knowledge to optimize governance
- Create innovative initiatives and programs by expertly translating facility and IT strategy and objectives
Request Follow-Up
Have questions about our Education programs or need help registering? Fill out the form and we will follow up with you right away.
Accredited Operations Professional (AOP) Program Details
Program Content
Key Concepts of Operations Strategy
- Strategy vs. governance vs. management
- IT dependence
- Digital portfolios and IT environments
- Moving from governance to management
- Organizational objectives and commitments
- Organizational factors and limitations
- Environmental factors and limitations
- Assessing sites and environments
- Topology assessment
- Operational assessment
- Leadership
- Organization
- Activities, roles, and job descriptions
- Creating a culture of excellence
- Portfolio training management
- Portfolio change management
- IT effectiveness, efficiency, and cost
- IT efficiency initiative – moving beyond PUE
- IT efficiency
- Case studies
- Costs of doing nothing
- Sample business case
- Efficient IT chargeback
- Key steps to planning and implementation
- Establishing a baseline
- Working session on chargeback
- Defining KPIs
- Defining effective KPIs
- KPIs for efficient IT initiatives
- KPIs for operations management
- DCIM as an integrated monitoring tool
- Applying FORCSS to DCIM acquisition
Program Duration
Program Objectives
Learner Profile
Pre-requisites
Accreditation
Costs & Credits
Advancement Opportunities
Cross‑training supports staff developing their careers by building both breadth and depth of capability, strengthening effectiveness in current roles while enabling progression into more advanced, broader, or related functions over time.
AOP (Accredited Operations Professional)
The AOP develops critical analysis skills to align operational strategy, IT initiatives, and facility performance with long-term business success, preparing professionals to turn complex challenges into opportunities.
CDCTP (Certified Data Center Technician Professional)
- Core technical skills for data center environments.
- Infrastructure fundamentals across the full stack.
- Foundation for career growth in critical operations.
ATS (Accredited Tier Specialist)
- Deep dive into Tier Standard principles and methodology.
- Teaches how to interpret and apply Tier criteria effectively.
- Builds a strong foundation for Tier design and operations roles.
CDCMP (Certified Data Center Management Professional)
- Connect long-term business strategy with efficient, reliable data center service delivery.
- Evaluate compliance, auditing, asset management, and energy efficiency performance.
- Strengthen people, project, and BAU management across data center operations.
AOS (Accredited Operations Specialist)
- Operations best practices for mission-critical facilities.
- Reliability, risk mitigation, and performance optimization.
- Aligns daily operations with business continuity goals.
AOP (Accredited Operations Professional)
- Advanced strategy for data center operations leaders.
- Aligns IT, facilities, and business objectives.
- Strengthens governance, efficiency, and resilience.
Master’s Degree in Data Center Leadership and Management
- Develop executive-level leadership for complex infrastructure.
- Navigate strategic, financial, and organizational challenges confidently.
- Lead enterprise-wide digital infrastructure decisions.