Integration Processes and Results

In this chapter, the processes of integration and its results are presented. First, the differences are highlighted between traditional and integrated approaches, to gain some insight into the theory behind Integrated Product Development. After looking into the benefits and drawbacks of Integrated Product Development, its measurable results are presented: the coordination and overlap of NPD activities. Then, the processes leading to coordination and overlap are presented, namely collaboration and communication between different functions. To facilitate distinction between integration processes and mechanisms (the subject of Chapter 3), this chapter concludes with the presentation of a model of Integrated Product Development.