In a world where industrial operations rely heavily on seamless human-machine interactions, adhering to industry standards like ISA-101 becomes a critical aspect of enhancing operational efficiency. The ISA-101 standard plays a pivotal role in improving operator effectiveness through optimized display designs and functionalities.

Our near-shore team in Bucaramanga recently spearheaded a successful project to migrate our client’s graphic displays to the AVEVA Enterprise SCADA 2023 system. This transition involved upgrading over 600 HMI screens to comply with ISA-101 standards within an impressive 6-week timeline, showcasing our commitment to excellence and innovation.

The approach towards Human-Machine Interface (HMI) in industries, be it process, hybrid, or discrete, is undergoing a significant transformation that emphasizes enhancing operational efficiency and reliability of plant machinery. While recent supplier innovations have been notable, most plants today are utilizing HMIs that do not prioritize operator situational awareness. This lack of focus makes it challenging for operators to discern critical information amidst the noise, hindering overall effectiveness.

Why Changes Are Needed

Traditional display types like PID- and controller faceplate-style HMI graphics prevalent in legacy Distributed Control Systems (DCSs) often impede operators from accurately gauging the plant’s performance. With a workforce accustomed to digital interfaces, the outdated HMIs in many facilities face resistance from newer generations who value intuitive designs. Moreover, the lifecycle of HMIs, spanning engineering, design, installation, operations, and maintenance phases, incurs unnecessary costs.

To address these challenges, industry stakeholders—suppliers, end users, and systems integrators—have embraced the ISA-101 lifecycle standard as a guiding framework for optimal HMI design, implementation, and management practices. This standard not only outlines the fundamentals of effective HMI design and display selection but also presents opportunities to streamline HMI-related engineering and operational expenses. ISA-101 stands as a pivotal tool in the journey towards operational excellence for end users, suppliers, and systems integrators alike.

In today’s evolving process automation landscape, where the workforce is shifting towards fewer but less-experienced personnel managing vast amounts of data, the role of the operator becomes paramount. Organizations are increasingly focusing on implementing new alarm management strategies, revamping control rooms, and refining automation strategies to enhance human collaboration and situational awareness.

Acknowledging the shortcomings of existing HMIs, many end users are reevaluating their approach to HMI design to avoid incidents resulting from operator fatigue and poor situational awareness. By moving away from traditional PID-style graphics towards a more user-centric and ergonomic design approach, suppliers aim to offer competitive advantages aligned with industry best practices and insights from diverse disciplines like cognitive neuroscience and video gaming.

The ISA-101 Standard

The ISA-101 standard not only addresses current HMI design challenges but also streamlines complexity, customization, and costs across the HMI lifecycle. Following a comprehensive lifecycle-oriented approach, ISA-101 delineates best practices for HMI technology utilization throughout design, implementation, operations, and maintenance phases. By providing clear guidelines for effective HMI development and maintenance, ISA-101 empowers end users to enhance process control efficiency and response mechanisms, ensuring a proactive approach to abnormal situations.

As ISA-101 gains recognition as an international standard, its continuous evolution and efforts, such as the development of an HMI Philosophy & Style Guide, underscore its relevance in modern process automation systems. The standard’s incorporation of mobile device support and diverse HMI display types reflects a forward-looking approach to addressing industry demands and technological advancements.

In conclusion, embracing ISA-101 standards is not just a shift in design principles but a strategic move towards optimizing operational efficiency, mitigating risks, and fostering a culture of innovation in industrial operations. With a focus on user-centric design, ergonomic considerations, and streamlined lifecycle management, organizations can leverage ISA-101 to set new benchmarks in HMI excellence and drive sustainable operational success.ARC will continue to monitor and report on the progress and impact of ISA-101 in shaping the future of Human-Machine Interface standards.

If you are looking update to the ISA 101, you can trust an experienced company like PipeCom. We have a large near-shore workforce in Colombia, who can work with your team in realtime. PipeCom is an AVEVA Registered System Integrator. Email us today and tell us about your needs.