ISO/IEC TS 24748-6:2016

TECHNICAL ISO/IEC TS
SPECIFICATION 24748-6
First edition
2016-12-01
Systems and software engineering —
Life cycle management —
Part 6:
System integration engineering
Ingénierie des systèmes et du logiciel — Gestion du cycle de vie —
Partie 6: Ingénierie de l’intégration du système
Reference number
ISO/IEC TS 24748-6:2016(E)
©
ISO/IEC 2016

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ISO/IEC TS 24748-6:2016(E)

COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
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ISO/IEC TS 24748-6:2016(E)

Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction .vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 2
3.1 Terms and definitions . 2
3.2 Abbreviatied terms . 4
4 Conformance . 4
4.1 Intended usage . 4
4.2 Conformance to processes . 4
4.3 Conformance to information item content . 4
4.4 Full conformance. 5
4.5 Tailored conformance . 5
4.5.1 Processes . 5
4.5.2 Information items . 5
5 Concepts and principles . 5
5.1 General . 5
5.2 Integration fundamentals . 5
5.2.1 Terms and approaches . 5
5.2.2 Notions of aggregate and of interface . 7
5.2.3 Integration based on architecture and design . 8
5.2.4 Integration by layers of systems . 9
5.2.5 Environmental context .10
5.2.6 Integration strategy .11
5.2.7 Verification principles related to integration engineering .17
5.2.8 Validation principles related to integration engineering .18
5.2.9 Efficiency of the integration strategy .18
5.3 Practical considerations .19
5.3.1 Iteration and recursion of processes .19
5.3.2 Integration Enabling System .19
6 Processes .22
6.1 Integration engineering activities .22
6.2 Integration Process .22
6.2.1 Purpose .22
6.2.2 Outcomes .23
6.2.3 Activities and tasks .24
6.3 Other technical processes related to integration engineering .28
6.3.1 Business or mission analysis process .28
6.3.2 Stakeholder needs and requirements definition process .28
6.3.3 System requirements definition process .28
6.3.4 Architecture definition process .29
6.3.5 Design definition process .29
6.3.6 System analysis process.30
6.3.7 Verification process .30
6.3.8 Validation process . . .30
6.4 Integration management .30
6.4.1 Management overview .30
6.4.2 Composition of integration teams and skills .30
6.4.3 Integration planning, assessment and control .31
6.4.4 Relationship to Project assessment and control .31
6.4.5 Relationship to Configuration management .31
6.4.6 Relationship to Agreement processes .32
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ISO/IEC TS 24748-6:2016(E)

7 Information items outlines .32
7.1 Integration Plan .32
7.2 System Integration Aggregate Definition Information .33
7.3 System Integration Procedure and Report .33
Bibliography .35
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ISO/IEC TS 24748-6:2016(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (the International Electrotechnical
Commission) form the specialized system for worldwide standardization. National bodies that are
members of ISO or IEC participate in the development of International Standards through technical
committees established by the respective organization to deal with particular fields of technical
activity. ISO and IEC technical committees collaborate in fields of mutual interest. Other international
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO and IEC, also take part in the
work. In the field of information technology, ISO and IEC have established a joint technical committee,
ISO/IEC JTC 1.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for
the different types of document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject
of patent rights. ISO and IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent
rights. Details of any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the
Introduction and/or on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity
assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the WTO principles in the Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: Foreword - Supplementary information
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/IEC JTC 1, Information technology, Subcommittee
SC 7, Systems and software engineering.
A list of all parts of the ISO/IEC 24748 series can be found on the ISO website.
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ISO/IEC TS 24748-6:2016(E)

Introduction
This document was developed in response to a need for consistent terminology, definitions and
guidance that elaborates the area of system integration, taking into account the context of use and the
proven practices for the development of systems.
ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 includes an integration process that focuses on physically assembling the
implemented system elements composing a system to obtain an “integrated system”. This process
interfaces directly to other technical processes and indirectly to activities and tasks of other technical
processes, in particular, the processes that define the system requirements, architecture and design.
The purpose of this document is to facilitate the usage of the integration process of the latest revision of
ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 by providing guidance on system integration.
This document describes the integration engineering activities dealing with planning, performing and
managing the integration of a system, including the related activities of other technical processes, in
particular, verification and validation processes. These are real practices in industry, i.e. the integration
of a system is technically engineered and managed as a project (included in the system development
project). Although these practices are performed, they were not formalized in a standard or a guide
when this document was written.
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION ISO/IEC TS 24748-6:2016(E)
Systems and software engineering — Life cycle
management —
Part 6:
System integration engineering
1 Scope
This document
— specifies activities and processes to be implemented for engineering the integration of systems-of-
interest throughout the life cycle (systems made of products and/or services; see Note 1),
— provides guidance for the integration process and its relationships to other system life cycle
processes as described in ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288,
— specifies the information items to be produced through the implementation of the integration
engineering (integration process and its relationships to other system life cycle processes),
— specifies the contents of the information items, and
— provides guidelines for the format of the information items.
This document can be applied to
— those who use or plan to use ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 on projects dealing with man-made systems,
software-intensive systems, products and services related to those systems, regardless of project
scope, methodology, size or complexity, and
— anyone performing integration engineering activities to aid in ensuring that the application of the
integration process and its relationships to other system life cycle processes conform to ISO/IEC/
IEEE 15288.
NOTE 1 Systems concerned within this document are those as defined in ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288, i.e. systems
that are man-made and can be configured with one or more of the following: hardware, software, data, humans,
processes (e.g. processes for providing service to users), procedures (e.g. operator instructions), facilities,
materials and naturally occurring entities.
NOTE 2 This document is intended to be consistent with the other parts of ISO/IEC 24748.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2015, Systems and software engineering — System life cycle processes
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ISO/IEC TS 24748-6:2016(E)

3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 and the
following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp/
3.1.1
acquirer
stakeholder that acquires or procures a product or service from a supplier (3.1.9)
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2015, 4.1.1]
3.1.2
aggregate
composition of several implemented system elements (3.1.11) that are assembled (3.1.3), on which a set
of verification actions (3.1.17) and/or validation actions (3.1.15) is applied
3.1.3
assemble
activities for combining and connecting implemented system elements (3.1.11) or aggregates (3.1.2) to
support specific goals, i.e. integration (3.1.5), verification (3.1.16), validation (3.1.14), manufacturing
and production.
3.1.4
enabling system
system (3.1.10) that supports a system-of-interest (3.1.12) during its life cycle stages, but does not
necessarily contribute directly to its function during operation
EXAMPLE When a system-of-interest enters the production stage, a production enabling system is required.
Note 1 to entry: Each enabling system has a life cycle of its own. ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 is applicable to each
enabling system when, in its own right, it is treated as a system-of-interest.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2015, 4.1.18]
3.1.5
integration
activities of combining several implemented system elements (3.1.11) and activating the interfaces
(3.1.8) to form a realized system (product or service) that enables interoperation between the system
elements and with other systems (3.1.10) to satisfy system requirements, architecture characteristics
and design properties
Note 1 to entry: In this document, the term “integration” is limited to the integration of the implemented system
elements which compose a system and the necessary life cycle related activities. Integration may occur to
connect a system-of-interest (3.1.12) with external interoperating systems and/or enabling systems (3.1.4).
Note 2 to entry: The process of combining software components, hardware components or both into an overall
system (ISO/IEC/IEEE 24765).
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ISO/IEC TS 24748-6:2016(E)

3.1.6
integration engineering
set of activities that defines, analyzes and executes integration (3.1.5) across the life cycle, including
interactions with other life cycle processes
Note 1 to entry: The application of the system life cycle processes and knowledge of the system-of-interest (3.1.12)
are necessary in order to integrate a set of system elements (3.1.11) into a system (3.1.10).
3.1.7
integration management
set of activities that plans, assesses and controls the integration activities and all related activities
Note 1 to entry: It helps ensure that the process outcomes are achieved and that the integration related
information items are identified, documented, maintained, communicated and traced throughout the life cycle of
the concerned system (3.1.10).
3.1.8
interface
set of logical and/or physical characteristics required to exist at a common boundary or connection
between system elements (3.1.11)
Note 1 to entry: As examples of interface definition, refer to ISO/IEC/IEEE 24765.
3.1.9
supplier
organization or individual that enters into an agreement with the acquirer (3.1.1) for the supply of a
product or service
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2015, 4.1.45]
3.1.10
system
combination of interacting elements organized to achieve one or more stated purposes
Note 1 to entry: A system may be considered as a product or as the services it provides.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2015, 4.1.46]
3.1.11
system element
member of a set of elements that constitute a system (3.1.10)
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2015, 4.1.47]
3.1.12
system-of-interest
system (3.1.10) whose life cycle is under consideration in the context of this document
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2015, 4.1.48]
3.1.13
user
individual or a group that benefits from a system (3.1.10) during its utilization
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2015, 4.1.52, modified]
3.1.14
validation
confirmation, through the provision of objective evidence, that the requirements for a specific intended
use or application have been fulfilled
Note 1 to entry: A system (3.1.10) is able to accomplish its intended use, goals and objectives (i.e. meet stakeholder
requirements) in the intended operational environment. The right system was built.
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[SOURCE: ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2015, 4.1.53]
3.1.15
validation action
action that describes what is to be validated (the element as reference), on which item the action is
performed, the expected result from the performance of the action, the validation technique to apply
and at which level of decomposition of the system-of-interest (3.1.12)
3.1.16
verification
confirmation, through the provision of objective evidence, that specified requirements have been
fulfilled
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2015, 4.1.54]
3.1.17
verification action
action that describes what is to be verified (the element as reference), on which item the action is
performed, the expected result from the performance of the action, the verification technique to apply
and at which level of decomposition of the system-of-interest (3.1.12)
3.2 Abbreviatied terms
IES Integration Enabling System
NDI Non-Developmental Item
SEI Software Engineering Institute
SoI System-of-Interest
4 Conformance
4.1 Intended usage
This document provides requirements and guidance for the execution of ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 processes
and activities that deal with integration engineering. This document also provides definition of the
content and recommendations for the format of the information items or documentation that result
from the implementation of the related processes.
4.2 Conformance to processes
This document provides requirements and recommendations for a number of integration engineering
processes and related activities suitable for usage during the life cycle of a system (made of products
and/or services).
The requirements and recommendations for processes in this document are contained in Clause 6.
4.3 Conformance to information item content
This document provides requirements and recommendations for a number of integration engineering
information items to be produced during the life cycle of a system (made of products and/or services).
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ISO/IEC TS 24748-6:2016(E)

The requirements and recommendations for information items in this document are contained in
Clause 7.
NOTE In this document, for simplicity of reference, each information item is described as if it were published
as a separate document. However, information items are considered as conforming if they are unpublished, but
available in a repository for reference, divided into separate documents or volumes or combined with other
information items into one document. It is not required to treat every topic in this document in the same order,
using the same wording as its title or with the same level of detail. This will depend on the nature of the system,
implementation methods, life cycle model and scope of the project; for example, test and Integration plan, a
system engineering management plan containing integration plan information.
4.4 Full conformance
A claim of full conformance to this document is equivalent to claiming conformance
— to the provisions contained in 6.2 and 6.3, and
— to the information items cited in Clause 7.
4.5 Tailored conformance
4.5.1 Processes
This document does not make provision for tailoring processes. ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2015, Annex A
provides normative direction regarding the tailoring of system life cycle process.
4.5.2 Information items
Information items described in this document are requirements and recommendations that can be
adapted depending on the type of system, implementation methods, life cycle model and scope of the
project.
5 Concepts and principles
5.1 General
This clause presents concepts and principles that apply to integration engineering and to the information
items generated at all levels of the system-of-interest during the execution of the concerned processes.
They also apply to the processes used in the integration itself and to management of the integration of
a system.
5.2 Integration fundamentals
5.2.1 Terms and approaches
5.2.1.1 Fundamental concept behind the term “integration”
As stated in 3.1.5, the term “integration” is defined as activities of combining several implemented
system elements and activating the interfaces to form a realized system (product or service) that
enables interoperation between the system elements and with other systems to satisfy system
requirements, architecture characteristics and design properties. The execution of these activities
provides something integrated that becomes a whole. Integration of the system involves its functions.
EXAMPLES
—  The engine is integrated with chassis and suspension to form the vehicle.
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ISO/IEC TS 24748-6:2016(E)

—  Integrated repository: a repository for storing all information pertinent to the System Engineering Plan
(SEP) to include all data, schema, models, tools, technical management decisions, process analysis information,
requirement changes, process and product metrics and trade-offs (IEEE 1220-2005, 3.1.18).
—  Integrated team: group of people with complementary skills and expertise who are committed to delivering
specified work products in timely collaboration (ISO/IEC/IEEE 24765).
—  Integrated circuit: a small piece of semiconductive material that contains interconnected electronic elements
(ISO/IEC 2382)
The opposite of the verb “to integrate” is “to segregate” which means to take apart (synonyms:
disassemble, separate).
To make the link with the term “system”, it is notable that a system deals with a whole, without using
explicitly the term whole in its ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 definition (combination of interacting elements
organized to achieve one or more stated purposes; see 3.1.10).
5.2.1.2 Integration engineering approach
The concept of wholeness is key to integration engineering. Holistically, a system is more than the sum
of its parts. So too, integration is more than mere assembly.
Integration engineering encompasses all activities throughout the life cycle of a system-of-interest that
are linked to the integration of the implemented system elements to form the system-of-interest. This
includes the following:
— the definition, preparation and performance of the assembly of the implemented system elements
to form aggregates until obtaining the defined system-of-interest;
— the definition and performance of actions applied to aggregates in order to check the assembly
focusing in particular on interfaces;
— the definition and performance of verification and validation actions applied to aggregates in order
to check conformance of the assembly to the system requirements, architecture and design;
— the integration of the formed system into its context of use (environmental context); integration is
recursive and so applies to the integration of the system-of-interest into the next level of the system
structure.
It also includes the activities of other technical processes that influence and/or constrain, guide, serve
and enable these previous activities.
It also includes the integration of the system-of-interest with interoperating systems and enabling
systems. It is related to the engineering of enabling systems (set of enabling products and/or services)
that support the integration of the system-of-interest (see 5.3.2).
The management of all these activities is part of the overall project management of the system-of-
interest.
NOTE The system-of-interest can be composed of layers of system elements. A system elem
...