In addition to the IPT Leader, the IT includes Product Leads and key IPT staff as determined by the IPT Leader, and comparable level functional managers who supply members to the PTs. Where IPTs are broken down into tiers of PTs, a similar arrangement of Integration Teams serve to ensure integration at each tier level. The team considers the customer and product first. The IPDS has a lifecycle product and service capability focus. Planning must ensure that total lifecycle costing and support are included for new products, for improvements to existing products and service capabilities, and for retirements or replacements.
Team development takes time.
Team success, facilitated by rapid, open communication, is emphasized and rewarded. Management relationships must be developed consistent with and focused on team building and achieving the team's measurable goals and objectives. Decision-making is driven to the lowest possible level. The IPDS responsibility extends to all stages in a product's lifecycle. The IPDS philosophy and processes is uniformly applied and supported at all organizational levels.