How to Build a Command Center? 7 Key Steps

Building an effective command center takes time, planning, and attention to detail. But if done right, it can be a huge asset that drives results for your business or organization.

In this comprehensive guide, as a professional control room console manufacturer, I’ll walk you through the entire process of constructing a high-performing command center from start to finish using my proven framework.

Why Build a Command Center?

Before we dive in, let’s briefly go over the reasons why you may want to invest time and resources into building a command center:

• Enhanced visibility – A well-designed command center gives you increased visibility into all your critical business operations, metrics, and KPIs.
• Improved incident response – Whether it’s a cyber attack, PR crisis, or data breach, command centers enable rapid detection and coordinated response.
• Better decision making – By centralizing data, communication, and workflows, command centers empower leaders to make faster and more informed strategic decisions.
• Increased efficiency – Command centers break down information silos and streamline collaboration across teams and functions. This leads to huge efficiency gains over time.

The benefits above are just the tip of the iceberg. Now let’s get into the step-by-step guide for constructing your own high-performance command center.

How to Build a Command Center: Step by Step

Step 1: Define Your Command Center Goals and Requirements

The first step is to clearly define the mission and purpose of your command center.

To do this, bring together stakeholders from across your organization and have an open discussion around goals and requirements.

Here are some of the key things you’ll want to define:

• Purpose – What’s the overarching objective you want the command center to accomplish? Increased visibility? Faster incident response times? Something else entirely?
• Metrics and KPIs – What metrics, dashboards, and KPIs will you monitor to determine success?
• Staffing requirements – Will you need 24/7 monitoring or only business hours? How many seats will you need? What roles should be represented?
• Data sources – What systems, applications, and data sources will you be gathering data from?

Document all needs, wants, and constraints uncovered during this process. They will serve as the foundation for the design process later on.

And don’t worry if some details are still unclear, you can refine things as you go. But having an initial direction and scope is essential.

Step 2: Form a Cross-Functional Build Team

Now it’s time to assemble your “Avengers”.

Put together a skilled, cross-functional team consisting of:

• Command center manager – The project lead (probably you).
• IT personnel – To handle the tech stack and integrations.
• Facilities staff – To deal with construction, rooms, electricity etc.
• Security professionals – To address physical security, access control, surveillance.
• Procurement – To handle licensing, purchasing, budget allocation.
• Representatives from each function – Ensure all needs are met.

This team will work together to handle everything from initial design to ongoing management once the command center goes live.

Step 3: Conceptualize and Map Out Workflows

The next step is to map out your envisioned workflows, processes, and room layout.

Start by creating workflow diagrams that capture:

• What data sources will feed into the command center
• How alerts and incidents will be monitored, triaged, and routed
• The standard operating procedures for different scenarios
• How each role interacts with the systems and data

Then, create a high-level room map that covers:

• Number of consoles/workstations needed
• Overall room shape and dimensions
• Placement of large displays, video walls, etc.
• Location of meeting, support, and break spaces

Don’t worry about nailing down every minute detail at this point. You can refine things later. But having a solid draft that frames out structure and flow is crucial.

Step 4: Design the Tech Stack and AV Integration

Now comes the fun part – figuring out the tech stack and audiovisual integration that brings your command center to life.

Key elements you’ll want to design and spec out include:

Video Wall

The video wall is often the centerpiece of any command center. Make sure to select:

• Display technology – LED, LCD, projectors etc.
• Monitor size and resolution
• Video wall controller – manages multi-display output
• Mounting – Free standing or wall-mounted array

Command Center Software Platform

The software ties everything together enabling control, monitoring, notifications, automated workflows and more. Evaluate options that meet your functional requirements determined in Step 1.

Networking and Connectivity

With so much data flowing in, your network needs to be robust, secure, and built for scale.

Computer Hardware

Spec workstations and/or laptops with sufficient computing power, storage, memory to drive your command center software and workflows.

Audiovisual Infrastructure

Design and integrate lecture capture, microphone systems, video conferencing, acoustic treatment and other AV supporting infrastructure.

This covers the basics, but isn’t exhaustive. Work with your IT team and AV integrator to design and specc the full tech stack.

Step 5: Detail Operational Procedures and Workflows

Recall those conceptual workflows you mapped out earlier? Now it’s time to detail them out fully.

During this step you should:

• Outline standard operating procedures (SOPs) for regular monitoring workflows
• Define escalation protocols for critical incidents
• Construct automated response playbooks where applicable
• Assign ownership for handling and routing various alert types
• Determine what data gets presented on video wall vs. desktop monitors

Get feedback from all stakeholders and refine until you have SOPs that enable seamless, coordinated action during business-as-usual and crisis situations alike.

Step 6: Physical Construction and Build-Out

With planning and design locked down, you’re ready to physically build out your command center space.

If constructing a room from scratch, make sure to:

• Soundproof for noise reduction
• Install acoustic paneling to reduce echo
• Use dimmable lighting for adjustable brightness

For existing spaces:

• Retrofit room layout to align with design maps
• Install specialized HVAC and ventilation
• Soundproofing and acoustic treatment

With the room itself complete, it’s time to outfit the space.

Work with your AV integrator and builders to finalize installation and placement of:

• Video wall, desktop monitors
• Custom control room consoles and workstations
• Conference tables, chairs and furnishings
• Networking and cabling
• Microphones, speakers, video conferencing gear
• All other supporting AV equipment

Step 7: Training, Testing and Optimization

Your shiny new command center is built out and equipped with cutting-edge tech. But you aren’t done yet.

Before going live, put your team through extensive training on workflows, systems and processes. Then run through multiple real-world and simulated scenarios to test effectiveness.

Use the learnings from these dry runs to further optimize workstations, video wall dashboards, alert routing rules, runbooks and notifications.

Tweak and refine until everyone is fully prepared to leverage the command center day in and day out.

Only then are you truly ready to transition from the build phase to full-time HQ monitoring and operations!

Wrapping Up

And that wraps up this comprehensive guide to building a best-in-class command center!

As you can see, constructing an effective command center takes significant upfront effort related to planning, coordinating workflows, AV integration and more.

But once built out properly, your command center will drive major efficiency gains and performance improvements across the board.

The steps I’ve outlined here work for command centers of any size and for any industry. Whether you’re a private company, government agency or non-profit, this framework will set you up for success.

So what are you waiting for? Use this guide to start planning and building your own high-powered command center today!