Integration: Why Do It? What Does It Mean?

The term integration is used widely within the Defence community in a number of different contexts. Recently, the concept of Integrated Capability Sets or Mission Capability Packages as they are also known has gained momentum as a way of viewing, discussing and analyzing the totality of Defence capability. Integration is generally seen as being a positive thing to apply to capabilities. However, little is recorded about what form of integration is appropriate e.g. horizontal or vertical integration or which domains should be integrated e.g. technical, organizational or procedural. Of even greater concern is the lack of understanding of the reasons behind the push to integrate what values does the integrator wish to enhance This paper discusses the range of values that may drive the integration process, some of the risks associated with integration, and explains some of the forms that integration may take. The need to consider integration as a trade-off between risk and value is emphasized and a tentative mapping of integration to combinations of different risks and values is provided. In addition, a number of all-round integration forms are identified which exhibit a minimum of risk. Finally, some of the values and risks associated with a particular form of integration are illustrated with a simple Integrated Air Defence case-study.