Integration, How Tight?

A more tightly integrated design is harder to create, narrower in focus, more fragile in use, and less flexible in responding to change. 

Implicit in these principles is the notion that tight integration comes at some cost.  That is, one does not always seek the very highest level of integration in a design for a machine or a business.  A more tightly integrated design is harder to create, narrower in focus, more fragile in use, and less flexible in responding to change. 

A Formula 1 racing car, for example, is a tightly integrated design and is faster around the track than Subaru Forester, but the less tightly integrated Forester is useful for a much wider range of purposes.  Nevertheless, when the competitive challenge is very high, it may be necessary to accept these costs and design in a tightly integrated response.  With less challenge, it is normally better to have a bit less specialization and integration so that a broader market can be addressed.

ACTION POINT: Balance integration cost with market appeal.