A term used by COCOMO to describe a project developmeNT that is characterised by tight, inflexible constraiNTs and iNTerface requiremeNTs. The product must operate within (is embedded in) a strongly coupled complex of hardware, software, regulations and operational procedures. An embedded mode project will require a great deal of innovation. An example would be a real-time system with timing constraiNTs and customised hardware. (1996-05-29)