The complexity of integrating multiple systems into a single product is one of the most underestimated obstacles in product development, and if at least one time you got angry while building an Ikea shelf, you probably know what Iโm talking about ๐
๐๐ก๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ๐ข๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ฆ๐ฌ
Integrating multiple systems involves combining different software and hardware components into a single, functional product. This process involves ensuring that each system works ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฆ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฅ๐ฒ with the others and that they can ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐๐๐ญ๐ effectively with one another. The integration process can involve ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ๐ข๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ ๐ญ๐๐๐ก๐ง๐จ๐ฅ๐จ๐ ๐ข๐๐ฌ, ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐ฌ, ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ ๐๐ฌ, each with its own unique set of requirements and constraints.
The most common issues are:
๐ Lack of compatibility: systems developed by different suppliers or teams might have different interfaces.
๐ Mistiming: Itโs not enough to get โalmost everythingโ ready. Our product is ready when all subsystems are in place and functioning properly.
๐ Lack of communication: different teams developing different systems need a solid and seamless communication system and integration meeting to make sure theyโre align on every target and timing changes.
๐๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ค๐ข๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
Despite the challenges involved in integrating multiple systems, this trickiness is often underestimated. This is usually due to a ๐ฅ๐๐๐ค ๐จ๐ ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐ of the complexity involved in the integration process, or a belief that the systems will simply “work together” without any issues. This underestimation can have significant consequences for the success of the project resulting usually in
๐ Unexpected extra-costs
๐ Delays
๐ Underdeliver
๐ Missed deadlines
๐ Customer dissatisfaction
๐ Loss of revenue
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐๐จ ๐ฐ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฑ ๐ข๐ญ? ๐๐ก๐ ๐ข๐ฆ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐จ๐ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐จ๐ฅ
To succeed in integrating multiple systems, it is crucial to have full control over your project.
This means:
๐ To have a clear understanding of the project and system requirements
๐ To have a comprehensive plan for integrating the systems
๐ To have a clear testing plan
๐ To have a clear control over the issues that the integration brings up
๐ To have the technical expertise required to identify and resolve any issues that arise during the integration process.
๐ To have a team with the necessary expertise and experience to handle the integration process
๐ To take into account the necessary time to finalize the integration
๐๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง
Integrating multiple systems into a single product requires significant technical expertise and effort. If not managed properly, the consequences on the project can be dangerous.
To succeed in integrating multiple systems, it is crucial to have ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐จ๐ฅ ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฃ๐๐๐ญ, including a clear understanding of the systems involved, a comprehensive plan for integration, excellent teamwork, and the technical expertise required to identify and resolve any issues that arise during the integration process.