13.4 Integrator

Integrators integrate source code (or rather the derived object files) into larger and larger subsystems, concluding with the whole system. Integrators also re-create integrated (sub)systems for later retests or regression tests during the product's life cycle.

The contents of a product begin to assume definite form in connection with integration. Accurate identification of a product's contents is essential to further treatment in testing and registration of events. Integrators should use the configuration management system in all integration activities.

Integrators play a central role in connection with configuration management. This person contributes to configuration management by

• Identifying relevant configuration items (build scripts and, not least, deliveries in the form of larger and larger subsystems)

• Placing relevant items in storage after due approval

• Producing appropriate event registrations for items used in connection with integration, such as source code

Integrators should have a good overview of the system and information on the configuration items it contains. They may contribute to the auditing of configuration items because, by virtue of their overview, they can ensure that whatever must be included in a delivery is in fact included.

Benefits

On top of the benefits of placing their own products under configuration management, especially deliveries, integrators can benefit from configuration management by

• Extracting related configuration items as a basis for integration, such as architectural design, development plans, and test plans

• Extracting configuration items from which their own items must be produced

• Getting information on the status and history of these items

References

More details about relevant subjects may be found in Chapter 16Integration.