Network Capacity Planning Quarterly Review Checklist

This network capacity planning quarterly review checklist ensures compliance with TIA-942-B data center capacity standards, ITIL 4 Capacity and Performance Management practices, and IEEE 802.3 network utilization guidelines. Designed for network capacity planners and infrastructure architects to evaluate bandwidth utilization, forecast future needs, and plan upgrades proactively. Complete all sections each quarter.

  • Industry: Telecommunications & IT
  • Frequency: Quarterly
  • Estimated Time: 2-3 hours
  • Role: Network Capacity Planner / Infrastructure Architect
  • Total Items: 30
  • Compliance: TIA-942-B Data Center Infrastructure Standard, ITIL 4 Capacity and Performance Management, IEEE 802.3 Ethernet Standards, NIST SP 800-53 SA-14 Criticality Analysis, ISO/IEC 27001:2022 A.8.6 Capacity Management

Bandwidth Utilization Analysis

Current bandwidth consumption vs. capacity review.

  • Peak bandwidth utilization reviewed for all critical links?
  • Average utilization trending analysis completed?
  • Congestion events identified and documented?
  • Top bandwidth consumers identified (NetFlow/sFlow)?
  • Bandwidth Utilization Charts

Growth Forecasting

Traffic growth projections for next 12-18 months.

  • Historical growth rate calculated (MoM, YoY)?
  • Upcoming business initiatives reviewed for network impact?
  • 12-month capacity forecast completed?
  • Adequate headroom available on all critical circuits (>= 30%)?
  • Capacity upgrade triggers defined (e.g., 70% sustained)?

WAN Circuit and Cloud Connectivity Review

Internet, MPLS, and SD-WAN circuit capacity.

  • All WAN circuit utilization reviewed?
  • Cloud connectivity bandwidth reviewed (AWS Direct Connect, Azure ExpressRoute)?
  • Internet breakout capacity adequate?
  • SD-WAN traffic steering policies reviewed?
  • Circuit cost vs. utilization optimization reviewed?

Data Center and Compute Capacity

Server, storage, and DC network capacity review.

  • Compute (CPU/RAM) headroom adequate (>= 30% free)?
  • Storage capacity growth reviewed and forecast updated?
  • Data center fabric utilization within limits?
  • Power and cooling capacity headroom adequate?
  • Physical rack space availability reviewed?

Upgrade Recommendations

Document required upgrades and investment planning.

  • Capacity upgrades required in next 90 days?
  • Upgrade requirements list compiled?
  • Budget estimates prepared for required upgrades?
  • Change requests submitted for approved upgrades?
  • Upgrade Recommendations and Notes

Capacity Report and Management Review

Quarterly capacity report preparation and distribution.

  • Quarterly capacity report prepared?
  • Executive summary included?
  • Report reviewed with management?
  • Action items tracked in ITSM tool?
  • Next quarterly review date scheduled?

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Why Use This Network Capacity Planning Quarterly Review Checklist?

This network capacity planning quarterly review checklist helps telecommunications & it teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for network capacity planner / infrastructure architect professionals, this checklist covers 30 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: quarterly.

Ensures compliance with TIA-942-B Data Center Infrastructure Standard, ITIL 4 Capacity and Performance Management, IEEE 802.3 Ethernet Standards, NIST SP 800-53 SA-14 Criticality Analysis, ISO/IEC 27001:2022 A.8.6 Capacity Management. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Network Capacity Planning Quarterly Review Checklist cover?

This checklist covers 30 inspection items across 6 sections: Bandwidth Utilization Analysis, Growth Forecasting, WAN Circuit and Cloud Connectivity Review, Data Center and Compute Capacity, Upgrade Recommendations, Capacity Report and Management Review. It is designed for telecommunications & it operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed quarterly. Each completion takes approximately 2-3 hours.

Who should use this Network Capacity Planning Quarterly Review Checklist?

This checklist is designed for Network Capacity Planner / Infrastructure Architect professionals in the telecommunications & it industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

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