Choosing the Appropriate Integration App roach in Systems Projects

Abstract

This paper deals with the integration process in technological systems projects. The paper reviews the objectives of the integration process, planning and managing principles, as well as the pitfalls and difficulties associated with this process. The following integration approaches are described and analyzed: hardware-assisted versus software only, bottom-up versus top-down, and hierarchial versus functional approaches. Then, a case study that focuses on the third group-the hierarchial and functional approaches-is presented. Four projects that were conducted at the same firm have been examined. The case study attempts to determine whether there is a relation between these two integration approaches and project success. The findings of the case study show that-particularly when customer satisfaction is determined as a major goal-the hierarchial integration approach is preferable to the functional approach, with respect to project success.

Software obsolescence risk assessment approach using multicriteria decision‐making

“…Multiple SMEs directly responsible for financial application sustainment or supporting necessary infrastructure elements provided assessments on element criteria prioritization through a pairwise AHP in line with Frank et al for determining “relative weight.” The SMEs providing criteria prioritization were: Chief Information Officer (CIO), Deputy CIO, Division Chief, Development Manager, Infrastructure Manager, and Financial Application Program Manager. Table lists the combined SME element criteria weights.…”

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“…The concept can extend into physical integration to define the components to be included in cross-branch testing. An example of this is included in a discussion of functional approach integration as an alternative method (Frank, Harel, and Orion, 2014) as shown in Figure 11. One common example is the testing of a braking function in an automobile which involves several components from different subsystems in the overall architecture, particularly when electrical drive is used.…”

“…Figure 11. Functional integration diagram (Frank, Harel, and Orion, 2014) This approach can also be used to address external interfaces as shown in a variation of an ATM exercise depiction in Figure 12. In this diagram, the external user interface functionality is defined in addition to the inputs and outputs between the two sides.…”

Outcomes of a Systems Engineering Project for K-12 Teachers

“…(11) Here we learned valuable lessons regarding system integration, a documented problematic phase in real world organizations because several strategies exist. (10) First, this was clearly the aspect that offered the greatest trouble to each team. Teachers had some relevant science and math knowledge which could be applied to the components.…”