Question

Product integration is a vital part of product development and the main focus and research problem is to understand what factors influence the possibilities to achieve efficient and effective product integration. The characteristics of efficient product integration are that unnecessary work is avoided and delays due to integration problems are prevented. Effective product integration is achieved if problems related to the interaction between components are captured, and the planned functionality for a specific integration is achieved. Other important matters related to product integration include delayed time to market, insufficient quality, and inefficient use of resources.

A first step is understanding how reference models can help the process. In addition, a first step should be taken in understanding the influence of architecture on processes with emphasis on product integration. You will have three questions to answer. The first question aims to investigate the use of current reference models: Are the practices described in available reference models for product integration necessary and sufficient for visible reduction of problems in the product integration process? In answering this question, we can find the practices that are most relevant for efficient and effective product integration and what is included in the reference models. Based on the differences and the combined body of knowledge, the next question is: What additions and modifications are needed in the available reference models to take advantage of the current body of knowledge in product integration? Different types of support can help increase use of the described practices. This includes training, tool support, and use of technology that simplifies the product integration.

The evolution of system or product architectures may change the requirements on the product integration process. Failing to change the process when altering the architecture may be one reason why the used product integration practices are not sufficient. We need therefore to understand the influence on the process from architectural decisions. This leads to an additional question: How can necessary changes in the integration process due to changes in the product architecture be identified and implemented?

Answer 1

The idea with product integration is that separate components are combined into a working system. However, this process of assembling parts into bigger units,
products and systems is not well performed in industry, especially not when a substantial part of the product functionality is implemented in software. Many faults
that are introduced in early phases are found as late as in the product integration phase, or even worse, in the verification or validation of the final delivery, or after
delivery of the product or system. This leads to high costs for error correction and additional efforts for re-testing. There is consequently a need to further investigate
the area of product integration to understand how the performance can be improved.
Different practices have been described in standards and models, but the area is still under development. No widely agreed upon body-of-knowledge has so far been
defined for product integration.

Product and process technology is rapidly evolving. Competition is becoming more and more globally based.
Customers are emphasizing improved quality and reliability, but reduced defense spending requires an emphasis on value and affordability.
This dynamic and challenging environment requires the implementation of integrated product development concepts to reduce development cycle time and improve product quality and value.

Integrated Product Development (IPD) is based on the integrated design of products and manufacturing and support processes.
It is not a matter of assessing the producibility, testability, supportability and quality of the product after it has been designed nor of focusing on related data item deliverables nor of extensive testing to improve quality or reliability. These approaches extend design cycle time, increase product development cost, and may not result in the most optimum way to produce and support the product. Instead, all of the competitive factors or “ilities” must be considered from the very start of product development and designed into the product. The design of the product and the process must be integrated to assure a more optimum approach to manufacture and support the product.

The essential principles of integrated product development can be summarized as follows.

Understand your customer and their requirements
Integrate R&D, product development, and process investments with an overall business strategy;
Use Product Development Teams to facilitate early involvement and parallel design
Design products and manufacturing and support processes in parallel
Involve suppliers early in the development process
Use digital product models to capture and maintain a more complete and consistent representation of the design
Integrate CAE, CAD and CAM tools to improve effectiveness and reduce design cycle time
Simulate product performance and manufacturing processes electronically to reduce costly design/build/test iterations
Use quality engineering and reliability techniques to develop a more robust product and process design
Create an efficient and streamlined development approach to reduce cost and design cycle time
Improve the design process continuously