Not as simple as it looks

How many times have you seen a system integration explained as a simple dash between two boxes on a PowerPoint slide? It looks uncomplicated. Two systems, one line, and everything works. But the reality is quite different.

Behind the straight line hides a world of complexity that is often overlooked. It's tempting to focus on the end result -- data flows between systems, and things “just work.” But it's what happens behind the scenes that determines whether it actually works.

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What the “simple line” really entails

Behind any system integration, there are a number of critical components and challenges that must be addressed:

• Data Conversion: Information needs to be transformed so that both systems understand each other -- and that's rarely trivial.

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• Error Handling: What happens when something goes wrong? Integrations must have robust mechanisms to capture, log and manage errors.

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• Security Protocols: Sensitive data must be secured throughout the communication chain, both in transmission and in storage.

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• Performance and Delay: The systems need to talk quickly enough together to meet user expectations -- often in real time.

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• Version management: Changes in one system can easily “break” integration if one does not follow up continuously.

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• Ownership and Governance: Who is responsible for what? Without clear governance, integrations can quickly end up in grey areas and conflicts.

Why this concerns you as a stakeholder

As a stakeholder, it's natural to focus on the impact -- what is to be achieved, not necessarily how it happens. But in order to be able to make good decisions and provide relevant support, it is important to understand that “behind the scenes” lie complex solutions that require insight, coordination and continuous work.

The straight line on the slide is never as simple as it looks. It represents weeks or months of specifications, development, testing, troubleshooting, and security assessments. It also represents collaboration between technical teams, the business side and often external suppliers.

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Be a good stakeholder

Respect the complexity. Acknowledge the effort. Ask questions -- but also be responsive to the challenges that come with it. Because it's not just “connecting two systems”. It is a process that requires time, expertise and collaboration.

The world is far more complicated than what is shown with two boxes and an arrow on a slide. Understanding this is the first step towards better projects — and better collaboration.