Integration in project business: mechanisms for knowledge integration

This article presents results from a four‐year study of various integration mechanisms in industrial project business. The projects analysed are complex solutions, which include demanding efforts in both engineering and organisation. Mechanisms for combining products and the processes needed to deliver projects are described and categorised according to the impact that they have on the management of knowledge and information. The design, commissioning and operations phases have been studied in particular and the entire project life cycles have been addressed to obtain an understanding that is as comprehensive as possible of the integration needs in different project phases. The results are summarised in a framework describing two dimensions of integration that are fundamental for knowledge integration when the logic is determined by how the project is delivered and what is the final outcome. The results provide support for project companies delivering solutions to their customers: to develop technical and social capabilities for integration of knowledge and information and to ensure their competitiveness.