E02 - High Performance HMI & ISA101
Lunch & Learn Episode 2: High Performance HMI & ISA101
Presenter: Paul Burt
This episode focuses on the concept and implementation of High Performance Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI), specifically based on the ISA 101 standard. Paul introduces the topic by clarifying the meaning of high performance in HMI as enabling operators to work efficiently without unnecessary distraction. The session covers a brief history of HMIs, explaining how early systems were simple and focused, while later flashy designs became distracting and less usable.
The session addresses why high performance HMIs are critical, citing the 2005 Texas City refinery explosion as a key event that highlighted the dangers of poorly designed, unreadable interfaces. The development of the ISA 101 standard emerged as a response to improve usability, situational awareness, and safety in industrial control systems.
Paul outlines the three components of ISA 101: philosophy, style guide, and toolkit, emphasizing the importance of consistent color usage, effective data visualization, and standardized navigation across large systems. Examples comparing low-performance and high-performance HMIs illustrate the benefits in alarm visibility, data clarity, and operator focus.
The session also discusses common customer concerns such as resistance to change, aesthetic preferences, and cost. Paul explains the efficiency gains and safety improvements justify the premium investment in high performance HMI design, and that the upfront development effort results in scalable, repeatable systems.
Finally, Paul highlights the importance of aligning with industry standards and provides insight into development challenges, such as creating reusable libraries and balancing customization with efficiency.
Revision History
| Revision | Date | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0.0 | 9/12/2025 | Sneha Karnik | Initial Implementation |