The purpose of Product Integration (PI) is to assemble the product from the product components, ensure that the product, as integrated, functions properly, and deliver the product.

This process area addresses the integration of product components into more complex product components or into complete products.

The scope of this process area is to achieve complete product integration through progressive assembly of product components, in one stage or in incremental stages, according to a defined integration sequence and procedures. Throughout the process areas, where we use the terms product and product component, their intended meanings also encompass services and their components.

A critical aspect of product integration is the management of internal and external interfaces of the products and product components to ensure compatibility among the interfaces. Attention should be paid to interface management throughout the project.

Product integration is more than just a one-time assembly of the product components at the conclusion of design and fabrication. Product integration can be conducted incrementally, using an iterative process of assembling product components, evaluating them, and then assembling more product components. This process may begin with analysis and simulations (e.g., threads, rapid prototypes, virtual prototypes, and physical prototypes) and steadily progress through increasingly more realistic incremental functionality until the final product is achieved. In each successive build, prototypes (virtual, rapid, or physical) are constructed, evaluated, improved, and reconstructed based on knowledge gained in the evaluation process. The degree of virtual versus physical prototyping required depends on the functionality of the design tools, the complexity of the product, and its associated risk. There is a high probability that the product, integrated in this manner, will pass product verification and validation. For some products and services, the last integration phase will occur when they are deployed at the intended operational site.

Refer to the Requirements Development process area for more information about identifying interface requirements.

Refer to the Technical Solution process area for more information about defining the interfaces and the integration environment (when the integration environment needs to be developed).

Refer to the Verification process area for more information about verifying the interfaces, the integration environment, and the progressively assembled product components.

Refer to the Validation process area for more information about performing validation of the product components and the integrated product.

Refer to the Risk Management process area for more information about identifying risks and the use of prototypes in risk mitigation for both interface compatibility and product component integration.

Refer to the Decision Analysis and Resolution process area for more information about using a formal evaluation process for selecting the appropriate integration sequence and procedures and for deciding whether the integration environment should be acquired or developed.

Refer to the Configuration Management process area for more information about managing changes to interface definitions and about the distribution of information.

Refer to the Supplier Agreement Management process area for more information about acquiring product components or parts of the integration environment.

Specific Goal and Practice Summary

SG 1 Prepare for Product Integration

SP 1.1       Determine Integration Sequence

SP 1.2       Establish the Product Integration Environment

SP 1.3       Establish Product Integration Procedures and Criteria

SG 2 Ensure Interface Compatibility

SP 2.1       Review Interface Descriptions for Completeness

SP 2.2       Manage Interfaces

SG 3 Assemble Product Components and Deliver the Product

SP 3.1       Confirm Readiness of Product Components for Integration

SP 3.2       Assemble Product Components

SP 3.3       Evaluate Assembled Product Components

SP 3.4       Package and Deliver the Product or Product Component