Maximize Operator Effectiveness:

High Performance HMI Case Studies, Recommendations,

and Standards
Part 2 of 2

A PAS White Paper

Version 3.0

Bill Hollifield
Principal Alarm Management and HMI Consultant, PAS

Hector Perez
High Performance HMI Product Manager, PAS

High Performance HMI 3.0 - Part 2 | Cover

© PAS Global, LLC 2017
 Table of Contents
Introduction and Overview ......................................................................................................................................................... 1
A Real World Case Study and Test of HPHMI Concepts ................................................................................................. 3
The Level 1 Overview .................................................................................................................................................................. 4
The Level “1.5” Pulverizer Overview Graphic ..................................................................................................................... 5
The Level 2 Pulverizer Control Graphics ............................................................................................................................. 6
Abnormal Situation Response Graphics ............................................................................................................................. 7
The Testing ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
The Results ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
PowerGraphiX ..............................................................................................................................................................................
®
9
Paradigm Busting: The Pipeline Overview ............................................................................................................................ 13
A Review of HMI Standards ........................................................................................................................................................ 16
API-1165: Recommended Practice for Pipeline SCADA Displays ............................................................................... 17
.. ISA-101: Human-Machine Interfaces for Process Automation Systems .................................................................. 17
The PAS Seven Steps HPHMI Work Process ........................................................................................................................ 21
HPHMI Implementation on a Budget ...................................................................................................................................... 22
Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 23
Typical Table of Contents of an HPHMI Philosophy and Style Guide ......................................................................... 24
About the Authors ......................................................................................................................................................................... 27
References ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 28

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© PAS Global, LLC 2017
Introduction and Overview
The process control and automation industry has spent billions on improving process safety
via complex, instrumented systems. Yet, we continue to frequently see industrial incidents,
accidents, and fatalities in the news. The causes are generally not the failure of such automated
systems but are instead the result of a wide variety of human errors. PAS firmly believes that
addressing the causes of human error and the improvement of Operator Effectiveness is of the
highest importance. The proper use of such technologies as High Performance HMITM (HPHMI)
and Alarm Management can actually save lives and prevent injuries. Detailed information on
these should not be withheld, and that is why we offer this and other white papers freely.
They can also significantly lessen process upsets, improve process efficiency, and increase
productivity.

The human-machine interface (HMI) is the collection of screens, graphic displays, and other
technologies used by the operator to monitor and interact with the control system (typically
DCS or SCADA). Several major accidents, such as the Texas City refinery explosion in 2005,
have cited poor HMIs as a significant contributing factor. The design of the HMI plays a critical
role in determining the operator’s ability to effectively manage the operation, particularly in
quickly detecting and resolving an abnormal situation, which is the most important task of an
operator. A poor HMI can actively interfere with this ability.

For several reasons, the current designs and capabilities of most HMIs are far from optimal
for running the kinds of complex operations we have in industry. Most HMIs consist simply of
schematic or P&ID style graphics covered in numbers. Such displays provide the operator large
amounts of raw data but almost no real information. They are difficult to interpret and provide
inadequate situation awareness to the operator.

Since we published The High Performance HMI Handbook in 2008, improving HMI has become
one of the hottest topics in the automation industry. In that book, we explained exactly why
most current HMI practices were poor, and we put forth the proper principles and details for
making graphics significantly better. Many companies have adopted those principles and have
completed migrations to improved graphics. Many more have such efforts currently underway.

This two-part paper provides a history, justification, and detailed plan of action for the
improvement of a process control HMI. Here is an overview of the contents.

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Part 1 (Separate Document)
Examples: We provide typical examples of common but poor HMIs, along with highly
detailed depictions of improved methods that provide for much better operator situation
awareness and control.

Principles: We cover the most important aspect of High Performance HMI, the display
of information to the operator rather than raw data. Many other necessary graphic
principles including the correct way to use color are provided. Depictions of detailed
graphic elements are included.

Hierarchy: HPHMI graphic designs must reflect a proper hierarchy – the exposure of
additional detail as needed. We include examples of graphics that illustrate this hierarchy,
along with the work processes used to design such graphics.

Part 2
Case Studies: Since the publication of our 2008 book, many projects have provided
for the development of real world case studies. We include two such studies in this
paper. The first was conducted by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) but is
applicable to all types of process operations. The second shows how a major company
has improved performance and significantly lowered costs via company-wide adoption
of standardized High Performance graphics. This has led to a major HPHMI product
innovation for the power industry: PowerGraphiX®.

We also provide an example as to how “out-of-the-box thinking” can address HMI issues,
in the discussion of a Pipeline System Overview Display.

Standards Review: Two standards documents available on HMI are discussed, including
the ANSI/ISA-101.01-2015: Human Machine Interfaces for Process Automation Systems
released in August 2015.

HPHMI Work Processes and Implementation Guidance: The work process for HMI
improvement is described. We also address the most common issues encountered in
HMI improvement and cost effective ways to transition to High Performance graphics.

If your facility utilizes a process control system with a computer-based HMI, you will find this
information useful. This white paper augments the detailed content in The High Performance
HMI Handbook.

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© PAS Global, LLC 2017
A Real World Case Study and Test of
HPHMI Concepts
The following section is taken from a study conducted by the Electric Power Research Institute
(EPRI).

Operator HMI Case Study: The Evaluation of Existing “Traditional” Operator Graphics vs. High
Performance Graphics in a Coal Fired Power Plant Simulator, Product ID 1017637

• Existing Overview

Figure 1: 1990s Graphics from the EPRI HPHMI Test

The EPRI study tested the HPHMI concepts in this paper at a large, coal-fired power plant. The
plant had a full and accurate simulator used for operator training. The existing graphics on the
simulator (created in the early 1990s) operated the same as those on the actual control system.
PAS was retained to prepare several High Performance graphics for the simulator. Several
operators were then put through multiple abnormal situations using both the existing and the
new High Performance graphics.

Four examples of the existing graphics are in Figure 1. They have the following characteristics:
● Many controller elements are not shown on any of the existing graphics.
● No graphic hierarchy.
● No Overview.

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 ● Numbers and digital states are presented inconsistently.
● Poor graphic space utilization.
● Inconsistent selectability of numbers and elements.
● Poor color choices, overuse, and inconsistencies.
● Bright red and yellow used for normal conditions.
● Poor interlock depiction.
● No implemented trends (“trend-on-demand” rarely used by the operators).
● Alarm conditions generally not indicated on graphics – even if the value is a
precursor to an automated action.

The operators used dozens of such graphics to control the process. PAS prepared the following
High Performance graphics:
● Power Plant Overview (Level 1) – Figure 2
● Pulverizer Overview Graphic (Level “1.5”) – Figure 3
● 8 Individual Pulverizer Level 2 Control Graphic – Figure 4
● Runback 1 and 2: Special Abnormal Situation Graphics – Figure 5

The Level 1 Overview

5000 7500 1200
Unit 2 5000 1250 1200
15 5 3000
Overview
Steam Air Steam
05-31-14 KLBH KLBH °F
13:22:07 4100 5820 990
Total Fd Wtr Coal Reheat
Alarms KLBH KLBH °F
4580 980 1005
1 0 Drum Furn Steam
Lvl in. Pres psig
5 -0.5 -0.5 2400
2
0 0 600
3 8 0 0 600
-15 -45 -30 -15 1 HR -5 -45 -30 -15 1 HR 0 -45 -30 -15 1 HR

Status Alarms Pump Status Fan Status

PULV D-ON B-ON A B C D PUMPS A2 CWP A2 HWP C2 HWP A2BFPT A2 ECW A2 FD B2 FD A2 PA
E-ON H-ON AND ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON
C-ON A-OFF E F G H FANS B2 CWP B2 HWP SUBFP B2BFPT B2 ECW A2 ID B2 ID B2 PA
F-OFF G-ON ON OFF ON ON ON ON ON ON

Turbine-Generator LPT-A LPT-B H2 H2 Turb Oil Stator Condenser-Feed Wtr HW Lvl Drum Lvl DA Lvl DA Wide Cond Hdr
Gross MW Net MW MVAR HZ in.hg in.hg psig °F °F GPM A2 BPFT B2BPFT in.H2O In. H2O in.H2O FT H2O psig
2

702.1 640.1 -5.2 60.00 0.2 0.2 49.1 104 115 351 3.1 3.1 20.1 -0.5 0.0 9.0 400
Auto Auto Auto Auto
Boiler BBD Econ Econ Gas Aux Stm Fans A2ID A2FD B2ID B2FD Econ Sec Air CEMS NOX SO2 CO Inst Air
A/F Ratio pH pH Out °F psig F. in.H2O Stall Stall Stall Stall % O2 in. H2O % Opac #/MMBTU #/MMBTU ppm psig
2

7.1 9.4 9.4 775 300 -0.5 25 25 25 25 6.0 7.0 21 0.45 0.9 200 90
Auto

Figure 2: Example Level 1 Display

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© PAS Global, LLC 2017
The Overview graphic shown in Figure 2 (repeated from the Part 1 document) shows the key
performance indicators of the entire system under the operator’s control. The most important
parameters incorporate trends. It is easy to scan these at a glance and detect any non-normal
conditions. Status of major equipment is shown. Alarms are easily detected.

The operators found the overview display to be far more useful than the existing graphics in
providing overall situation awareness and also very useful in detecting burgeoning abnormal
situations.

The Level “1.5” Pulverizer Overview Graphic

The operator controls eight identical, heavily instrumented, and complex pieces of equipment
called coal pulverizers. At normal rates, seven are in use and one is on standby in case of a
problem. The seven that are running should be showing almost identical performance. It was
immediately apparent that an “Overview” graphic of just these eight items would be useful
to the operators, since much of their activity is in monitoring and manipulating them. Being
mechanical, they are subject to a variety of problems and abnormal conditions. There were
three separate existing graphics needed for monitoring and controlling each pulverizer, 24 in
total for them all. Monitoring using 24 graphics was difficult for the operators.

PULVERIZER OVERVIEW 08-15-2012 14:22:09

Pulverizer Status Coal Flow Trend Mill Amps Trend Diff Pres Trend Pri. Air Flow Trend Primary Damper
A B C D E F G H A B C D E F G H A B C D E F G H A B C D E F G H A B C D E F G H
Burn A A A A M A A A A A A A M A A A A A A A M A A A A A A A M A A A A A A A M A A A
Diag Maint
S S S 2 2
A ON
B ON
C ON
D ON
E OFF 3
F ON
G ON
H ON 113 112 0 112 42 42 0 43 8.0 9.1 0.6 8.5 204 204 0 204 75 78 76 75 51 50 75 55
102 113 113 112 43 44 43 43 9.8 9.0 8.0 8.3 233 205 205 205
74 45 74 74 50 50 65 51

S. Air Flow Trend North Damper South Damper C/A Temp Trend Hot Damper Cold Damper

A B C D E F G H A B C D E F G H A B C D E F G H A B C D E F G H A B C D E F G H A B C D E F G H
A A A A M A A A A A A A M A A A A A A A M A A A A A A A M A A A A A A A M A A A A A A A M A A A
S 2

204 204 0 204 75 78 78 75 0 50 75 55 75 78 78 75 30 50 75 55 135 135 277 135 75 78 78 75 40 50 75 55 75 78 78 75 50 50 75 55

205 205 205 205 135 135 135 135
74 77 78 74 0 50 76 51 74 77 78 74 30 50 73 51 74 77 78 74 40 50 65 51 74 77 78 74 50 50 73 51

16 140
Select B M1 M2 Diff Coal
Pres Flow
PSI KLB/HR
Main A A
Flame B B
C C
90 90
D D
Igniter
Flame E E
F F
Fuel Type: G G
GAS-1 30 30 H H
OFF OFF
SWG Valves OPEN NORM

Flm Mnt Mod OPEN NORM 2 Hrs 2 Hrs

0 1

Main Menu L1 Overview Runback 1/2 PULV A PULV B PULV C PULV D PULV E PULV F PULV G PULV H

Figure 3: The Level “1.5” Pulverizer Overview

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The new Pulverizer Overview in Figure 3 depicts more than 160 measurements on a single graphic!
The key to making this understandable is that the devices are supposed to run alike. Instead of
blocks of indicators for each pulverizer being grouped together, the same measurement from
each pulverizer is grouped together. Any individual unit operating differently than the others
stands out. The unit that is in standby service also is easily seen. Air damper command vs. actual
positions, a consistent source of problems, is clearly shown.

Note that the trends seemingly violate our recommendation of showing no more than three
or four traces on a single trend. In this case, what the operator is looking for is any trend line
that is not “bunched in” with the others. For such a condition, having these eight traces was
acceptable. Note that the standby pulverizer’s trace is normally on the bottom.

Even with such a “dense” information depiction and with so many measurements, the operators
found it easy to monitor all eight devices and easily detect burgeoning abnormal situations. It is
easy to scan your eye across the screen and spot any elements that are inconsistent (Pulverizer
“B” in the depiction). Alarm conditions are also easy to spot.

Note that control actions are not taken on this screen but rather on the eight individual Level 2
graphics, one for each pulverizer. This graphic is “in-between” Level 1 and 2, as it is an overview
of a complex sub-part of the operator’s responsibility. The most common sources or problems
are depicted.

The Level 2 Pulverizer Control Graphic

PULVERIZER A – Level 2 05-31-2012 11:13:55
KLBH Diff-P Amps KLBH Damper % °F H.Dmp % C.Dmp %
“A” Coal Flow KLB/HR “A” Primary Air Flow KLB/HR “A” C/A Temperature
140 220 200

113.0 10.7 45 205.0 50.0 135 72.1 31.0

AUTO AUTO CAS AUTO AUTO AUTO
2 Hrs 115.0 2 Hrs 200.0 49.0% 130 70.0 30.0
40 120 0 2 Hrs
75.0% 65.0% 48.0% 71.2% 70.1% 27.8%
Flow Air-N Air-S N Damp S. Damp GAS PSI
“A” Sec. Air Flow (Total) Flame A1 A2 A3 A5 A6 A7 Reserved
900 Faceplate
Main Zone
Flame
90 88 90 91 91 94 When any item
ON ON ON ON ON ON
on the screen
is selected, the
Igniter
faceplate for
Flame that item
appears in this
Fuel Type: 30 30 30 30 30 30 reserved area.
Gas-1
OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF
615.2 312 312 50% 50% 5.9
AUTO CAS CAS SWG Valves OPEN OPEN OPEN OPEN OPEN OPEN AUTO All control
600.0 50% 50% manipulation is
400 2 Hrs 10.0
60.0% 56% 42% Maint Mode NORM NORM NORM NORM MNT-B NORM 82% accomplished
through the
PULV “A” Sequence Blocked By: standardized
STOP PULV “A” PULV “A”
Status: STARTING faceplates.
Start Sequence All PA fans stopped or PAH stopped Group Trip Trip Valves
LTR oil press low or HDR VLV not open
Status Done Status Done Trip Status OK
Feeder inlet gate not open
IG HDR VENT CLOSED
Begin Sequence Ready Start Pulv Ready Pulv seal air diff press low
RESET
IG GAS TRIP CLOSED
Sec Air to L.O. Ready Start Feeder HOLD LTR atom air press low
Min boiler A.F. required PTR Status OK IG OIL TRIP CLOSED
Start Ltrs. Ready Pulv Tmp to Auto X Flame detected
BURNER VENT CLOSED
Pulv Grp Dmd Ready Rel Sec Air X Flame det clg air press lo RESET
Lube oil press low
Start PA Flow Ready Stop Ltrs X
Any Pulv group trip not reset Flame Status OK Open Swg
Open Swg Vlvs Ready Rel Pul Dmd X Valves
No coal on feeder belt
RESET
Any Seal Air blower stopped

Main Menu Pulv Overview Runback 1/2 L3 Feeder L3 Flame L3 Gas B C D E F G H

Figure 4: Level 2 Pulverizer Control

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© PAS Global, LLC 2017
Rather than using the three separate graphics shown to control each pulverizer (24 graphics
total), a single Level 2 graphic for each pulverizer was created with everything needed to
accomplish all typical control manipulations.

While complex in appearance to the layman, the trained operator had no difficulty in
understanding and accessing everything they needed for pulverizer startup, shutdown, and swap
situations that arose during the test. Much of the text on the screen has to do with the status of
existing semi-automated sequences that sometimes require operator intervention. Everything
on the screen is selectable, and when selected the standard faceplate for the element appears
in a reserved “faceplate zone” rather than floating around the screen obscuring the graphic.
Element manipulation is made via the faceplate.

Abnormal Situation Response Graphics

The operator response for many abnormal plant situations is to cut rates by half, from 700MW
to 350MW. Called a “Runback,” this is a complicated and stressful procedure that takes about
20 minutes to accomplish. If done incorrectly or if important parameters are missed, the plant
can fall to zero output, a very undesirable situation. One of the main purposes of the simulator
was to periodically re-train the operators for this situation. The operators have to use more than
a dozen of the existing graphics to accomplish the task, involving a lot of navigation activity
around screen callups and dismissals along with control manipulation.

However, in more than a decade of such training, it had never occurred to anyone to design
special graphics specifically designed to assist in this task. This demonstrates the power of
inertia in dealing with our HMIs. Specific Abnormal Situation Detection and Response graphics
are an important element of an HPHMI.

PAS created two “Runback” graphics designed specifically to assist in this task. Every element
that the operator needed to monitor and control the runback situation effectively was included
on them. In use, the operators placed them on adjacent physical screens. Figure 5 shows
“Runback 1;” Runback 2 was similar. The reserved faceplate zone is on the lower right.

As a simple example of providing information rather than data, consider the trend graph at the
upper left of Runback 1. To be successful, the rate of power reduction must not be too slow or
too fast. The existing graphics had no trend of this, simply showing the current power megawatt
number. This new trend graph had the “sloped-line” element placed next to it, indicating the
ideal rate of power reduction, the full load zone, and the target half-rate zone. On the figure,
the actual rate of drop is initially exceeding the desired rate, and that condition is easily seen.
(Note: It would have been more desirable to have the sloped lines on the background of the
trend area itself, but the DCS could not accomplish such a depiction. This is a compromise, but
one the operators still found to be useful.)

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 UNIT 2: RUNBACK Graphic 1 11-13-2012 14:22:09

750 3000 8
5
700

Main LPT-A
600 Steam 3.2
psig In.hg
Gross 2400
LPT-B
MW
3.0
562 Furn In.hg
Pres
20 Min in.H2O 20 Min
-0.5
400
20 Min
350 0
-0.5
300 0

Econ Sec Air A/F 7500 Reserved

Gross MW 562 TURBINE
MASTER MAN O2 % in.H2O Ratio 10 Faceplate
20 Zone
TRICON VERY TURBINE Air
LOAD RATE: FAST FOLLOW KLBH
7400
TRICON BOILER When any item
DEMAND: 100.0% FOLLOW Econ on the screen is
O2% selected, the
ACS COORD
DEMAND: 100.0% CONTROL
5.0 faceplate for that
Sec item appears in
Input new ACS this reserved
CONSTANT Air
DEMAND or
use buttons:
90.0% PRESSURE in.H2O area.
7.0
7.0 5.0 7.1
Decrease Increase VARIABLE Auto Auto 20 min All control
Load Load PRESSURE 0 manipulation is
7.0 5.0
0 accomplished
50% 50% through the
0
standardized
faceplates.
Boiler Fuel Main Steam Reheat Aux Stm Furn LPT-A LPT-B A2 B2 Drum Turb-X1 Turb-X2
Master Master psig degF degF psig in. H2O in.hg in.hg BPFT BPFT Top>Bot °F Mills Mills

2402 65.1
Auto Auto
2200 65.0
50% 48%

2400 1000 1000 300 -0.5 0.2 0.2 3.1 3.1 10 300 300

Main Menu Pulv Overview Runback 2 A B C D E F G H

Figure 5: Abnormal Situation Graphics – Runback 1

The Testing
Eight Operators, averaging eight years of console operating experience each, were used in the
test. They received only one hour of training with the new graphics prior to the start of testing.
(This was to address the common objection of “Changing our graphics would take months of
retraining!”) They were tested on four increasingly complex situations, each lasting about 20
minutes.
● Coal Pulverizer Swap Under Load
● Pulverizer Trip and Load Reduction
● Manual Load Drop with Malfunctions
● Total Plant Load Runback

All operators did all scenarios twice, using the old graphics alone, and the HPHMI graphics. Half
used the old graphics first (without having been shown the new graphics), and half used the
new HPHMI graphics first.

Quantitative and qualitative measurements were made on the performance of each scenario
(e.g., detection of the abnormal condition, time to respond, correct and successful response).

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The Results
The High Performance graphics were significantly better in assisting the operator in:
● Maintaining situational awareness.
● Recognizing abnormal situations.
● Recognizing equipment malfunctions.
● Dealing with abnormal situations.
● Embedding knowledge into the control system.

Operators highly rated the Overview screen, agreeing that it provided highly useful “big picture”
situation awareness. Even with only one hour of familiarization with the new graphics, operators
had no difficulties in operating the unit. The High Performance graphics are designed to have
intuitive depictions.

Very positive Operator comments were received on the analog depictions, alarm depictions,
and embedded trends. There were consistent positive comments on how “obvious” the HPHMI
made the various process situations. Values moving towards a unit trip were clearly shown and
noticed by the operators.

The operators commented that HPHMI would enable faster and more effective training of
new operations personnel. The negative operator comments generally had to do with lack of
familiarity with the graphics prior to the test (which was intentional).

The best summary quote was this one:

“Once you got used to these new graphics, going back to the old ones would be hell.”

The effect of inertia being the controlling factor for HMI change was once more confirmed.
The existing HMI had been in use since the early 1990s, with simulator training for more than a
decade. Despite clear deficiencies, almost no change to the existing HMI had been made since
inception.

Operators using the existing graphics first in the test were then asked “What improvements
would you make to the existing graphics to help in these situations?” In response, there were
very few or no suggestions!

However, operators using the existing graphics after they used the HPHMI graphics had many
suggestions for improvement, namely analog depictions, embedded trends, alarm depiction,
consistent navigation, etc.

So, people get “used to” what they have – and do not complain or know what they are missing
if they are unfamiliar with these HPHMI concepts.

A lack of complaints does not indicate that you have a good HMI!

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PowerGraphiX®
After the publication of The High Performance HMI Handbook, Southern Company, a major
United States power generation and distribution company, took notice of it. Southern Company
operates more than 280 nuclear, coal, oil, gas, biomass, wind, solar, and hydro generating units
at more than 75 power plants, with a combined capacity of more than 45,000 megawatts. They
are well known for their forward thinking and engineering approach to problem solving.

Southern had traditionally designed graphics much like others have. This was either using the
perspective of an engineer looking at the P&IDs, or by delegating graphics creation to operators,
who tended to arrange screens of numbers suiting their individual preferences. Neither of those
approaches led to a consistent or satisfactory end product.

In 2009, Southern suspected that there “had to be a better way” to present information to their
operators. Significant problems were being found as new projects were each being treated
as custom HMI implementations. Existing control rooms had significant screen and graphic
proliferation – with many plants having more than 500 different graphics used for control and
creating significant HMI maintenance problems.

An in-house study was made and identified these common deficiencies:

● Few internal standards were in place.
● Personal graphic preferences resulted in each control project being a custom,
inconsistent solution.
● Large HMI inconsistencies existed between identical plants.
● Significant retraining was required for personnel transfer.
● The over-abundant use of color incorporated in their graphics was not an aid to
the operator.
● Individually plant-customized graphics led to significant impacts to cost, schedule,
and consistency.

Southern concluded that the graphics portion of a controls project should be an “engineered
solution,” just like the rest of the project. After considerable research, they recognized that the
principles and design practices covered in The High Performance HMI Handbook dealt with all
the issues they identified and went beyond them. Managerial support of a major improvement

Figure 6: Original Control Room and How it Grew After DCS Conversion

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effort was obtained. A test case project was chosen, involving a DCS conversion for two coal-
fired generation units. HPHMI Workshops were held and workgroups formed. Corporate-wide
operations experts designed template Level 1 and 2 graphics based on task analysis. The screen
layout was driven by the Operator’s thought processes. The goal was total fleet standardization
of High Performance graphics.

The test project was successful and then further proven in 17 plant conversions with more
underway. Operator response is positive:
● “I can see problems coming before they happen.”
● “You got it right.”
● “I didn’t like it at first, but I do now.”
● “I wish I had this when I was learning to operate.”
● “I can find what I need now.”
● “I don’t have to jump around between screens to operate.”

Figure 7: Control Room after HPHMI Implementation of PowerGraphiX®

The number of graphics used to control a plant was reduced from a typical value of 300-600 to
approximately 80. Southern Company has documented both performance improvements and
substantial costs savings in these areas:
● Improved operator situation awareness.
● Improved abnormal situation detection and handling.
● Reduced engineering time and cost for new plants, conversions, and
modernizations.
● Reduced hardware costs (fewer workstations).
● Reduced licensing cost for control system software.
● Reduced ongoing maintenance cost.
● Reduced ongoing cybersecurity cost (fewer workstations and licenses).
● Reduced training costs.
● Upsets avoided (anecdotal evidence and cases).

Now designated as PowerGraphiX®, these graphics represent thousands of hours of design,

improvement, and actual in-operation experience. The measurements and statuses shown on
each graphic have received highly detailed review and proof testing by experienced power

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industry experts. The designs, layouts, and functionalities are the right choices for implementation
of a proper graphic hierarchy and HPHMI. They support maximum functionality for effective
operator monitoring and control.

The power generation industry is much more consistent in plant design than is the petrochemical
/ chemical industry. This makes it possible for advancements such as PowerGraphiX to be
incorporated much more easily and inexpensively by other companies. Southern and PAS
realized that making PowerGraphiX available to the power industry would benefit overall
operational effectiveness as well as safety.

To that end, PAS provides PowerGraphiX to the power industry. Here are a few of the many
features and benefits included in PowerGraphiX.

Features:
● Documented HMI Philosophy & Style Guides.
● Layouts and templates for Hierarchy Levels 1, 2, 3, & 4.
● Object Libraries.

Benefits:
● Reduced engineering time and cost (Note that it costs at least as much to
build or migrate a bad graphic as a good one.)
● Improved control system HMI consistency.
● Improved operator situation awareness and effectiveness.
● Effective use of large screen displays.
● Reduced ongoing HMI maintenance cost.
● Reduction in number of graphics.

These platforms are initially supported, and more are being developed. All product names are
property of their respective owners and used in this paper for identification purposes only:
● ABB Symphony Plus ®
● Emerson Ovation ®
● Emerson Delta-V ®
● Invensys FOX IA ®
● Honeywell Experion ®
● Alstom Alspa 6 ®

Plant Types:
● Coal Fired.
● Combined Cycle.
● Supercritical.

For more information on PowerGraphiX, visit www.pas.com/PowerGraphiX or email at info@

pas.com.

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Paradigm Busting: The Pipeline
Overview
This is an example of the kind of out-of-the-box thought process involved in re-examination
of some of our HMI paradigms. The pipeline industry (including the water and wastewater
segment) typically involves a process network of pipelines and processing facilities spread over
large geographical area.
42.87
That industry has the typical P&ID-
11.55
covered-in-numbers approach to
60.02 21.43
graphics involving the facilities. 12.44

They also have usually developed 2.34

18.48
an “Overview” type of display.
17.36
32.17
The paradigm for that is as shown
40.56
in Figure 8, a map covered in 27.81
31.41
38.33 29.927
numbers. By now, you should
have guessed this!

Certainly some geographic detail

is relevant to the role of the
Figure 8: A Typical Pipeline Network Overview Display
operator in this case. But is all of
this detail relevant or helpful? Or is it a distraction? Is a map covered in numbers any better than
a P&ID covered in numbers? The question is – what would be better?

It is a great tradition in engineering to build on the work of others – to adapt and enhance
concepts that are successful in other domains. The trick is to have a wide enough view of
the topic to recognize an applicable
solution. It is to ask, “Has anyone else
solved a similar problem?” In this case,
the answer is yes, and in a big way.

A map of the very complex 1908

London Underground subway system
is shown in Figure 9.

Figure 9: The 1908 London Underground Map

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The user of this map is the subway rider. It is not that easy to interpret, for the purpose of
figuring out the best route from your current position to the destination, using which subway
lines, and changing at which stations. And there is time pressure – you are looking at the map,
and the train has just pulled in next to you. Do you get on this one or the next one? Hurry!

It took about three decades for something better to be produced. In 1936, Engineer Harry Beck
came up with a radically different depiction. He determined these questions to be the key ones
for the subway rider:
● Where am I now (what station)?
● Where am I going (what station)?
● What lines service this station and where do they go?
● Where do I change trains?
● How many stops until my destination?

Even more importantly, he realized that there were many things that the subway rider did not
need to know:
● Am I going around a curve?
● Am I passing under a river or near another train line?
● What is the relative distance between stations?
● Am I traveling in a specific direction (N,S,E,W) in between stations?

Beck realized that depicting topology, and not geography, was the key.

In the revised map, every line is horizontal, vertical, or at 45 degrees – even the River Thames.
There is just enough geography and landmark depiction for the rider to orient their current
position and find their destination station. It is fast and easy to pick out an efficient route, even
for the novice rider.

Since 1936, the London

Underground has continued to
grow in complexity, but Beck’s
Paradigm still works. It has become
an iconic image, so functional that
it has been universally adopted.

How can this paradigm be adapted

to a Level 1 Overview display for
a pipeline network? There are
geographic cues important to a
pipeline operator.

Figure 10: Harry Beck’s 1936 London Underground Map

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For example, the location of a station or spill relative to state lines can mean that different
regulations, reporting requirements, or emergency procedures apply.

Task analysis has shown these to be some important things for depiction:
● Important status conditions and alarms.
● Significant highway crossings.
● Significant waterway crossings.
● Neighborhoods if adjacent to pipeline.
● Important boundaries (i.e., state lines).
● Pressure profiles.
● Analog indicators showing station performance.
● Direction and content indicators.
● Important trends.
● Topology, not geography.

A conceptual Pipeline Overview Display with these elements is shown in Figure 11.

Altair 4 C1 OK C2 OK Mesklin C1 OK C2 OK Arrakis C1 OK C2 OK Trantor C1 OK C2 OK

I I I I C3 OK C4 OK I I I I C3 OK C4 OK I I I I C3 Fault C4 OK I I I I C3 OK C4 OK
C1 C2 C3 C4 C1 C2 C3 C4 C1 C2 C3 C4 C1 C2 C3 C4
C1 Outlet Vent C3 Outlet Vent C1 Outlet Vent C3 Outlet Vent C2 Outlet Vent C4 Outlet Vent C2 Outlet Vent C3 Outlet Vent
MCFH psi °F scfh MCFH psi °F scfh MCFH psi °F scfh MCFH psi °F scfh MCFH psi °F scfh MCFH psi °F scfh MCFH psi °F scfh MCFH psi °F scfh
3

228 660 112 156 302 670 125 212 259 635 133 115 202 558 110 108 238 658 127 116 402 523 114 72 218 675 108 126 302 453 104 61
Line Pressure Profiles Prod Leaks
2 1000
2 Kessel Run C57D OK
Frostbite Falls JUP2 OK
Total
C
Y
Flow
Fra Mauro RV12 OK
C
Brigadoon V35B OK
943
L MCFH
E Cannonball C182 OK
600
3 Mayberry C172 OK 665 630 627 615 609 592 560 545 523 481 -90 -60 -30 2 Hrs

Weyland-Yutani Pipeline Overview Hooterville Green Pixley Valve Positions

Acres
A11
Alarms 1 3 S Minbari
2 A12
Bodine River
Brigadoon 1 Hekate A13
Total 0 1 4 2
Pern 2 A14
Un-Ack 0 0 1
B11
Frostbite Falls 3
B12
Rama 4
B13
Shady
Cannonball Rest B14
Chindi
Arrakis Terminus J2
1 Mayberry
1 J7
2 2 Raisa R4
Additives
Gateway Armstrong Aldrin R5
3 3
4 4 Cernon R6 3
Fra Mauro 1 Trantor
R7
2
Mesklin Z51
Dantooine
Kessel Run 3 Z52
4 Cogswell Z53
Eddore
Altair 4 TX LA Main Menu
Tyrell LV-223 LV-426

Figure 11: A Conceptual Pipeline Overview Display

HMI design is not simply arranging objects from a library onto a screen. There is room for a
creative approach, as long as the proper principles are reflected in the design. When faced with
an unusual process depiction problem, look at how similar situations have been solved in other
areas, and then adapt them.

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A Review of HMI Standards
Many readers of this white paper will already have The High Performance HMI Handbook and
may be curious about other HMI-related documents. In this section, we review the API-1165
Recommended Practice and the ISA-101 HMI Standard released in August 2015.

We need to be precise in our language when discussing standards. In this section, the term
“standard” applies only to a document that is produced in documented accordance with a
strict methodology that involves balance of interests, consensus, and a stringent review and
documentation process. Recognized bodies like the ISA follow these principles in issuing
documents they call standards. Other organizations (e.g., EEMUA) do not, and the documents
they produce are essentially books and reports, not standards.

When standards are issued by a recognized body, they acquire the status of being a “recognized
and generally accepted good engineering practice (RAGAGEP).” This clumsy acronym denotes
something very important, because regulatory agencies can and will cite the principle of
RAGAGEP as being enforceable, as a “catch-all.”

Standards are highly restricted in their allowable content. Standards intentionally describe
the minimum acceptable and not the optimum. By design, they focus on the “what to do”
rather than the “how to do it.” Standards intentionally do not have detailed or specific “how-to”
guidance – the kind of guidance that most people actually want or need, but that we do not
want to be mandatory. Standards do not contain examples of specific proven methodologies or
detailed work practices.

Other than The High Performance HMI Handbook, and this much expanded white paper, there
are very few authoritative documents that address process control HMI. Here is a discussion of
two of them.

API-1165: Recommended Practice for Pipeline

SCADA Displays
API documents are often considered as RAGAGEP by their regulatory agency, PHMSA (Pipeline
and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration). In 2006, API issued a document on SCADA HMI
displays. There are some significant inconsistencies within that document. Overall, the concepts
incorporated in the text portion of the document are valid. It mentions several good practices.
The examples provided, however, contain several depictions that are in direct violation of the
principles in the text.

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For example, Section 8.2.4 states, “Color should State Background Foreground Example
Color Color
not be the only indication for information. That Normal Black Green 1234

is, pertinent information should also be available High-High Alarm Black Red 1234
High Alarm Black Yellow 1234
from some other cue in addition to color such as a
Low Alarm Black Yellow 1234
symbol or piece of text.” Low-Low Alarm Black Red 1234
Unknown Error Black Blue 1234
Yet throughout the remainder of the document,
examples are shown that routinely violate this
principle. Figure 12 shows only a few of the
“recommended practice examples” from API-
RP-1165. In many of these examples, only subtle
color differences, not distinguishable by a
substantial fraction of the operator population, are
the only means to distinguish a significant status
difference.

In one table, API-1165 recommends color coding

alarms by type. The well-known best practice is
that they are redundantly coded by priority, not
type.

Users of API-1165 are therefore advised to pay more

attention to the written principles it contains than
to the example depictions.

Figure 12: Sub-optimal Examples from API-RP-1165

ISA-101 Human Machine Interfaces for Process

Automation Systems
ISA-101 (officially ANSI/ISA-101.01-2015) was begun in October 2008, very close to the time that
the first edition of The High Performance HMI Handbook was published. PAS is a voting member
of the ISA-101 committee. In June 2014, a “final” draft of ISA-101 was sent out to the overall
committee for final comment and ballot. The draft was approved by vote but 1,163 comments
were returned and had to be resolved. In March 2015, the version reflecting those modifications
was sent out for a revote, which passed and the document was released in August 2015.
Understand that the ISA document is much more about the “work process” of creating and
operating an HMI and not the details of what makes for a good vs. poor HMI. Those that are
looking for such detail will be disappointed.

The ISA-101 document is relatively short, containing approximately 44 pages of content and
approximately 20 pages of introduction, definitions, and legal notice.

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 CONTINUOUS WORK PROCESSES
MOC Audit Validation

ENTRY ENTRY

New System New Display

Major Changes Display Changes
SYSTEM DESIGN IMPLEMENT OPERATE Continuous
STANDARDS Improvement
Console Design Build Displays In Service
Philosophy

REVIEW
HMI System Build Console Maintain
Style Guide Design
Test Decommission

Toolkits User, Task,

Functional Train
Requirements
Commission
Continuous Display Design
Verification
Improvement

Figure 13: ISA-101 Example Life Cycle

ISA-101 contains consistent definitions of various aspects of an HMI. It has the typical text
principles of good graphics design, but these are constrained by what is allowable in a standard.
Standards are to provide the minimum acceptable, not the optimum. For example, ISA-101 can
make a statement like “Color should be used to direct attention and add meaning to the display.”
But ISA-101 does not contain anything like the example color palette of Figure 10 in this paper
(Part 1), nor should it. Such detail is not within the purview of a standard.

ISA-101 follows the usual Life Cycle approach of other ISA Standards. Life Cycle is a document
structure, not a project plan. An example of a Life Cycle for HMI development and operation is
supplied. It is mandatory to use some sort of life cycle process to administer an HMI. But the life
cycle shown in the document is labeled as an example and is not mandatory.

ISA-101 also makes it mandatory to place changes in the HMI under Management of Change
(MOC) procedures, similar to those that govern other changes in the plant and the control
system. The details of the MOC procedures are left to the user.

A reader with only brief and rudimentary knowledge of control systems and process control
HMI will find nothing new or unusual in ISA-101.

ISA-101 makes it mandatory to create “System Standards.” These are documents that govern the
design and creation of the HMI. These are the familiar HMI Philosophy, Style Guide, and Toolkit
(Object Library). It is mandatory to apply MOC to the Toolkit. ISA-101 has discussion of ways to
create these documents, but there are no examples. Brief descriptions of the contents of such
documents are provided (See the end of this white paper for a detailed Table of Contents listing
of a comprehensive HMI Philosophy and Style Guide). It is noted that the primary user of the
HMI is the operator and design should keep that in mind. There is a small bit of guidance about
the use of scripting logic and color.

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There is a brief section on the determination of the tasks that a user will accomplish when using
the HMI and how those feed the HMI design process.

The activities listed in the ISA-101 life cycle are generally discussed in bullet list and table form.
It contains basic (and well known) recommendations such as these:
● The HMI should be consistent and intuitive.
● The information shown should be relevant to the operator.
● Color should not be the only indicator of an important condition.
● Colors chosen should be distinguishable by the operators.
● Auditory warnings should be clear and unambiguous.

There are no examples of proper and improper human factors design and no details such as
appropriate color palettes or elements. The only HMI examples in ISA-101 are in a survey-type
section providing a list of different types of display styles. Each style is accompanied by a small,
intentionally non-detailed example, typically of about one square inch in size. Figure 14 shows
a few of those examples in their actual sizes.

Figure 14: ISA-101 Example Images, Full Size

ISA-101 mentions the concept of display hierarchy with discussion of Level 1, 2, 3, and 4 displays.
Each has an example, and those have been made intentionally undetailed and simplified. The
descriptions of the different levels contain no unusual items. Here, for example, are the ISA-101
Level 1, 2, and 3 display examples.

The reader is invited to compare these to Figures 33, 34, and 35 in Part 1 of this white paper.

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 Figure 15: ISA-101 Example Level 1 Graphic

ISA-101 finishes by providing brief descriptions of the following methods for interacting with an
HMI.
● Data entry in fields.
● Entering and showing numbers.
● Entering and showing text.
● Entering commands.
● Designing buttons.
● Using faceplates.
● Navigation – various common methods for navigating from one graphic to another
are discussed, such as hierarchical menus and navigation buttons.
● User access and security are briefly mentioned.

In ISA-101, user training in use of the HMI is mandatory. There is brief discussion of a list of things
that the training should cover, such as interpreting screen symbols, manipulating the controls,
and navigating from screen to screen. If non-operators are also expected to use the HMI, they
are expected to be trained as well.

Figure 16: ISA-101 Example Level 2 Graphic

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 Figure 17: ISA-101 Example Level 3 Graphic

In summary, the publication of ISA-101 is an important step in the field of HMI. ISA-101 is a short
document containing some generally well-known and basic principles of HMI design. Its only
mandatory requirements are to have an HMI Philosophy, Style Guide, and Object Library, to
apply MOC to the HMI, and to provide for user training. ISA-101 contains no detailed examples
and does not provide detailed design guidance. For those, the reader will need to seek other
sources of expertise. ISA plans to create additional “Technical Reports” on ISA-101, but these
typically take from two to six years to publish.

The PAS Seven Step HPHMI Work

Process
There is a seven step methodology for the development of an HPHMI with more detail in The
High Performance HMI Handbook.

Step 1: Adopt a High Performance HMI philosophy, Style Guide, and Object Library. You must
have a written set of principles detailing the proper way to construct and implement a
High Performance HMI.

Step 2: Assess and benchmark existing graphics against the HPHMI philosophy. It is necessary
to know your starting point and have a gap analysis.

Step 3: Determine specific performance and goal objectives for the control of the operation
and for all modes of operation. These are such factors as:
● Safety parameters/limits.
● Production rate.
● Run length.

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 ● Efficiency.
● Equipment health.
● Environmental (i.e., emission control).
● Production cost.
● Quality.
● Reliability.

It is important to document these along with their goals and targets. This is rarely
done and is one reason for the current poor state of most HMIs.

Step 4: Perform task analysis to determine the control monitoring and manipulations needed
to achieve the performance and goal objectives. This is a simple step involving
the determination of which specific controls and measurements are used to
accomplish the operation’s goal objectives. The answer determines the content of
each Level 2, 3, and 4 graphic.

Step 5: Design High Performance graphics using the design principles in the HMI philosophy
and elements from the style guide and object library to address the identified tasks.

Step 6: Install, commission, and provide training on the new HMI.

Step 7: Control, maintain, and periodically reassess the HMI performance.

HPHMI Implementation on a Budget

While desirable, it is not necessary to replace all (or any) of your existing graphics to obtain
much of the benefit of HPHMI. A partial implementation can provide most of the benefits with
minimum disruption. A partial implementation involves:

● ALL EXISTING GRAPHICS ARE KEPT ON THE SYSTEM. This eliminates almost all
objections to HMI improvement.
● Design and deploy new Level 1, Level 2, and Abnormal Situation Management
graphics designed with HPHMI principles. This is generally around 20 or so
graphics.
● Existing graphics can be designated as Level 3 (which is generally what they
actually are) and navigation paths to them altered.
● Improvements to those existing Level 3s (correcting color choices, adding status
indications, adding embedded trends, and providing proper context) can be made
over time as desired. Yes, there will be inconsistency between the HPHMI graphics
and the existing ones. But in examining hundreds of existing HMIs, we have yet to
find one that did not already have significant inconsistencies within itself.
Operators can handle this with no problem.

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Experience has shown that the operators will begin to use the High Performance Level 2
graphics preferentially for normal operation and abnormal situation detection. Why? Because
they are BETTER for the purpose. They will use the existing Level 3 graphics for the detailed
troubleshooting purposes that they are most suited to support.

Any facility can afford about twenty new graphics! A High Performance HMI is affordable.

Conclusion
The most important job of an operator is to detect and successfully respond to an abnormal
situation. The HMI is the means by which the operator accomplishes this task. Existing HMIs
are woefully inadequate for this purpose. They were generally designed in an era when proper
practices were unknown, and the resistance to change has kept those graphics in commission
for two or more decades.

The principles of High Performance HMI are specifically developed to deal with the needs of
today’s operators and the complex systems they manage. A High Performance HMI is designed
to be the best tool for operator interaction with the process control system. It is designed with
these important capabilities in mind:
● Provision of an easily monitored overview of the equipment under the
operator’s control.
● Ease in maintaining full situation awareness of the span of a
large process.
● Early detection and clear depiction of abnormal conditions.
● Effective resolution methods for abnormal situations.
● Embedding easily accessible and relevant knowledge into the control system.

The benefits of such an HMI are more than just reducing human error and avoiding abnormal and
unsafe operations. The HMI becomes an effective operational tool for maximizing production,
reliability, efficiency, quality, and profitability.

Industry is now recognizing the need and benefits of improved HMIs. Dozens of major companies
are in the process of HMI modernization and see it as not only a safety initiative, but a cost-
saving and productivity-enhancing one as well.

The functionality and effectiveness of our process automation systems can be greatly enhanced
if redesigned in accordance with proper HMI principles. A High Performance HMI is both practical
and achievable.

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Typical Table of Contents of an HPHMI
Philosophy and Style Guide
High Performance HMI Philosophy Example Table of Contents
Note: All sub-sections are not shown.

1.0 Introduction
1.1 Purpose and Use of a High Performance HMI Philosophy
1.2 Purpose and Function of the Operator HMI
1.3 Common but Improper HMI Practices
1.4 Functional Description of HMI Elements
1.5 Level 1 Process Area Overview Display
1.6 Level 2 Process Unit Control Display
1.7 Level 3 Process Unit Detail Display
1.8 Level 4 Process Unit Support Display
1.9 Special Purpose Graphics for Specific Abnormal Situations
1.10 Display Content
1.11 Display Layout
1.12 Display Navigation
1.13 Alarm Management Features
2.0 HMI Design Process
2.1 Step 1 - Adopt a High Performance HMI Philosophy, Style Guide, and Object
Library
2.2 Step 2 - Assess and benchmark existing graphics against the HMI Philosophy
2.3 Step 3 - Determine specific performance and goal objectives for the control of
the process
2.4 Step 4 - Perform task analysis to determine the control manipulations needed
to achieve the Performance and Goal objectives
2.5 Step 5 - Design and build High Performance Graphics using the design
principles in the HMI Philosophy and elements from the Style Guide and
Object Library, to address the identified tasks
2.6 Step 6 - Install, commission, and provide training on the new HMI
2.7 Step 7 - Control, maintain, and periodically reassess the HMI performance
3.0 Purpose and Use of an HMI Style Guide and Object Library
3.1 DCS Specificity
3.2 Object Library Contents and Usage
4.0 HMI Performance Monitoring and Ongoing Assessment
5.0 HMI Management of Change (MOC) and Maintenance
6.0 Control Room Factors
6.1 Control Room Design Factors
6.2 Control Room Work Practices
6.3 Operator Console Design
6.4 Operator Work Practices
6.0 References

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High Performance HMI Style Guide Example Table of Contents
Note: All sub-sections are not shown.

1.0 Purpose and Use of an HMI Style Guide

2.0 Control System Specificity
3.0 HMI Development Work Process
4.0 Object Library – Description and Use
5.0 Display Concepts, Objectives, and Content
5.1 Level 1 Display – Process Overview
5.2 Level 2 Displays – Process Unit Operating Graphics
5.3 Level 3 Displays – Process Detail Displays
5.4 Level 4 Displays – Process Support and Diagnostic Displays
6.0 Global System Display Defaults
7.0 Operator Interaction Methodologies
7.1 Standard DCS Functionality Usage
7.2 Change Zones and Faceplates
7.3 Standard Display Templates
7.4 Point Manipulation and Faceplates
7.5 Window Management and Yoking
8.0 Display Layout
9.0 Navigation Methods and Practices
9.1 Programmable Buttons and Keys
9.2 Keyboards, Menus, and Tab-based Navigation
9.3 Target-Based Navigation
9.4 Pointing and Selection Devices
10.0 Basic Principles of Process Depiction
10.1 The Proper Role of the P&ID View Element
10.2 High Performance Display Elements
11.0 The Proper Use, Implementation, and Importance of Trends
12.0 Color Palette and Usage
12.1 Color Palette Definitions & Settings
12.2 The Role of Color in Situation Awareness
12.3 Designing for Color-Deficiencies: Coding Redundancy
13.0 Detailed Display Element Specification and Functionality
13.1 Depiction of Lines and Labeling
13.2 Depiction of Static Text, Lists, Tables, and Similar Structures
13.3 Vessels and Other Static Equipment
13.4 Depicting Dynamic Equipment
13.5 Depicting Analog and Digital Values
13.6 At a Glance Performance Indicators
13.7 Depicting Controllers
13.8 Device Position Feedback
13.9 Vessel Liquid Levels
13.10 Depiction of Point Names

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 13.11 Temperature, Pressure, and Similar Profiles
13.12 Startup and Checklist Elements
13.13 Plan vs. Actual
13.14 Depicting Economic Constraints
13.15 Production Extrapolation
13.16 Dynamic Shapes and Elements Library
13.17 Data Input Mechanisms and Safeguards
13.18 Shutdown Activation Elements
13.19 Depicting Valves and Other Final Control Elements
13.20 Interlock and Logic Elements and Displays
14.0 Display Naming Convention & File Storage Naming/Pathnames
15.0 Alarm Functionality
15.1 Proper Configuration of the Alarm Summary Display
15.2 Proper Depiction of Alarms
15.3 Proper Settings for Audible Alarm Tones
15.4 Abnormal Condition Indications
15.5 Alarm Management Functionality
15.6 Alarm and Graphic Association
15.7 Operator Alarm Response
15.8 Depiction and Alarming of Instrument Malfunction
15.9 Alarm Shelving Depiction and Functionality
15.10 State-Based Alarming
15.11 Alarm Flood Suppression
15.12 Operator Alert System
16.0 Special Purpose Graphics
16.1 Startup and Shutdown Assistance
16.2 Expected Abnormal Situations
16.4 Product Change
16.5 Geographic Screens
17.0 Depiction of Programmatic Functionality
18.0 Display Call-up Speed and Performance Requirements
19.0 Advanced Process Control (APC) Application, Functionality, and Depiction
20.0 Standardized Abbreviations List and Engineering Unit Descriptors
21.0 Standard Tools and Display Creation Methodologies
22.0 System Backup
23.0 Management of Change
24.0 Standardized Abbreviations and Engineering Unit Descriptors

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About the Authors
Bill R. Hollifield, PAS Principal Alarm Management and HMI Consultant

Bill is the Principal Consultant responsible for the PAS work processes and
intellectual property in the areas of both Alarm Management and High
Performance HMI. He is a member of the American Petroleum Institute’s API
RP-1167 Alarm Management Recommended Practice committee, the ISA SP-
18 Alarm Management committee, the ISA SP101 HMI committee, and the
Engineering Equipment and Materials Users Association (EEMUA) Industry
Review Group.

Bill has multi-company, international experience in all aspects of Alarm Management and HMI
development. He has 28 years of experience in the petrochemical industry in engineering and
operations, and an additional 12 years in alarm management and HMI software and services for
the petrochemical, power generation, pipeline, pharmaceutical, and mining industries.

Bill is co-author of The Alarm Management Handbook, The High Performance HMI Handbook, and
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Guideline on Alarm Management.

Bill has authored several papers on Alarm Management and HMI, and is a regular presenter on
such topics in such venues as API, ISA, and Electric Power symposiums. He has a BSME from
Louisiana Tech University and an MBA from the University of Houston. In 2014, Bill was made an
ISA Fellow.

Hector R. Perez, PAS High Performance HMI Product Manager

Hector oversees the High Performance HMI business line at PAS. He is a

chief designer of High Performance graphics intended to facilitate situation
awareness in a variety of industries. At PAS, Hector oversees PAS software
directions to improve product design and capabilities.

Prior to working with PAS, Hector was a senior engineer at Schlumberger. His
strength in design contributed to his success in creating new and improved
HMIs for reservoir evaluation services and interfaces for business Key
Performance Indicator tracking.

In addition to his expertise in High Performance HMI, Hector has widespread experience in all
aspects of Alarm Management. He has facilitated numerous Alarm Management workshops,
conducted alarm rationalization projects, and developed Alarm Philosophy documents for a wide
range of clients in the petrochemical, power generation, pipeline, and mining industries.

Hector has authored technical articles on High Performance HMI. In 2009, he and Bill collaborated
with the Electrical Power Research Institute (EPRI) on a comparative research study evaluating
High Performance graphics and operator effectiveness. Hector holds a Bachelor of Science in
Chemical Engineering from Rice University.

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References
API-RP-1165: Recommended Practice for Pipeline SCADA Displays, American Petroleum Institute
(2006)

Crawford, W., Hollifield, B., Perez, H., Electric Power Research Institute Operator HMI Case Study:
The Evaluation of Existing “Traditional” Operator Graphics vs. High Performance Graphics in a
Coal Fired Power Plant Simulator, Product ID 1017637 (2009)

Hollifield, B. Oliver, D., Nimmo, I., and Habibi, E., The High Performance HMI Handbook. PAS (2008)

Hollifield, B. and Habibi, E. 2006. The Alarm Management Handbook, 2nd edition. PAS (2010)

ANSI/ISA-101.01-2015: Human Machine Interfaces for Process Automation Systems, International

Society for Automation, August 2015

About PAS

PAS Global, LLC is a leading provider of software solutions for process safety, cybersecurity, and
asset reliability to the energy, process, and power industries worldwide. PAS solutions include
industrial control system cybersecurity, automation asset management, alarm management, high
performance HMI, boundary management, and control loop performance optimization. PAS
solutions are installed in over 1,000 facilities worldwide with more than 40,000 users.

For more information, visit www.pas.com.

Connect with PAS on Twitter @PASGlobal or LinkedIn.

© PAS Global, LLC 2017. Ideas, solutions, suggestions, hints and procedures from this document
are the intellectual property of PAS Global, LLC and thus protected by copyright. They may not be
reproduced, transmitted to third parties or used in any form for commercial purposes without the
express permission of PAS Global, LLC.

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