This document contrasts traditional HMI design techniques with recent innovations. It discusses the evolution of HMIs from analog control walls to early digital displays. Common poor practices are identified, such as overuse of graphics and minimal data depiction. High performance HMI principles emphasize situational awareness through techniques like embedded trends, analog representations, and hierarchical screen organization. The document provides examples of how to effectively use color, depict alarms and levels. It advocates evaluating HMIs based on established criteria to systematically assess performance.
This document contrasts traditional HMI design techniques with recent innovations. It discusses the evolution of HMIs from analog control walls to early digital displays. Common poor practices are identified, such as overuse of graphics and minimal data depiction. High performance HMI principles emphasize situational awareness through techniques like embedded trends, analog representations, and hierarchical screen organization. The document provides examples of how to effectively use color, depict alarms and levels. It advocates evaluating HMIs based on established criteria to systematically assess performance.
This document contrasts traditional HMI design techniques with recent innovations. It discusses the evolution of HMIs from analog control walls to early digital displays. Common poor practices are identified, such as overuse of graphics and minimal data depiction. High performance HMI principles emphasize situational awareness through techniques like embedded trends, analog representations, and hierarchical screen organization. The document provides examples of how to effectively use color, depict alarms and levels. It advocates evaluating HMIs based on established criteria to systematically assess performance.
This document contrasts traditional HMI design techniques with recent innovations. It discusses the evolution of HMIs from analog control walls to early digital displays. Common poor practices are identified, such as overuse of graphics and minimal data depiction. High performance HMI principles emphasize situational awareness through techniques like embedded trends, analog representations, and hierarchical screen organization. The document provides examples of how to effectively use color, depict alarms and levels. It advocates evaluating HMIs based on established criteria to systematically assess performance.
Performance HMI: Contrasting traditional design techniques with recent innovations in HMI design The New High Performance HMI They wrote the book on it! About PAS • Published the High Performance HMI Handbook • Written by Bill Hollifield, Dana Oliver, Ian Mimmo and Eddie Habibi About ASM • Abnormal Situation Management • Consortium of leading Companies and Universities • Written by Peter Bullemer and Dal Vernon Reising The New High Performance HMI Standard lends itself toward Cloud hosted SCADA The New High Performance HMI This Course will cover: • HMIs Past and Present • Common but Poor HMI Practices • Justification for HMI Improvement – What Can You Gain? • High Performance HMI Principals and Examples • Depicting Information Rather Than Raw Data • The Power of Analog • Proper and Improper use of Color • Depicting Alarm Conditions • Trend Deficiencies and Improvements • Display Hierarchy and the Big Picture HMIs Past and Present
What information is really helpful?
Distraction? HMIs Past and Present • Example of a Control Wall • Gauges, chart recorders, lights, buttons and switches audible alarms • Analog gauges provide quick information “at a glance” • Most important alarms and control immediately accessible • Difficult to modify! • No data analysis HMIs Past and Present HMIs Past and Present • Early SCADA / DCS graphical display • Crowded, mimic schematic drawings, convenient but not necessarily optimal • Operators become accustomed, resistant to change • Still seen after 20 years even in large operations HMIs Past and Present • Became flashy, colorful designs, a lot of graphics • Minimal and poorly depicted numeric data • No obvious correlation between graphics and data • 10% information, 90% pictures Graphics Principals Problematic Graphics Principals High Performance HMI Graphics Principals High Performance HMI
• Avionics gets it right
• “Situation Awareness” • Information at a glance • Heading, altitude, time, engine diagnostics, fuel level, fuel consumption rate, real-time weather, location, GPS mapping, route, terrain, wing flap and trim positioning • Now standard on even small aircraft Graphics Principals High Performance HMI • Non schematic depiction • Limited use of color • Gray backgrounds to minimize glare • No animation except for alarm related • Embedded trends for important parameters • Analog representation with value relative to normal, abnormal and alarm • A hierarchical display of screens and sub screens • Low-contrast depictions in 2D, not 3D • Consistent navigation Graphics Principals Data or Information? Graphics Principals Using Color
• Must be used consistently
• Use for abnormal conditions • Relative brightness and text for redundancy • Bright indicates “on” – think of a light bulb
Color is not used as the sole differentiator of an important condition or status
Graphics Principals Using Color and Shapes
• Alarms should be redundantly coded • There should be multiple alarm priorities • Colors for alarms used only for alarms • Indicators only appear in the event of an alarm • Alarms flash until acknowledged and remain on until resolved Graphics Principals Hierarchically Linked Alarm Information
• Alarm indicated by multiple differentiators Graphics Principals Hierarchically Linked Alarm Information
• Clicking on alarm icon takes operator directly to specifics • Consequences, causes and corrective actions Graphics Principals Trends
• Graphics rarely incorporate trends
• Trends best for continuously changing values • Should show relevant history and should depict normal and abnormal ranges • Great example of situation awareness! Graphics Principals Level Indication
• Vessel levels should have more
than just a rendition of liquid • Scaled level indication is a minimum requirement • High performance HMI gives situation awareness to include trend, trend duration, scaled level and alarm information • Another great example of situation awareness! Graphics Principals Display Hierarchy: Level One Display
Control Interactions are not made from the level one screen. Menu buttons (bottom center) take to level two Graphics Principals Display Hierarchy: Level Two Display - Reactor
A level two graphic exists for each separate major unit operation. Buttons at bottom of screen take to level three for finer control Graphics Principals Display Hierarchy: Level Three Display - Compressor
A level three graphic exists for systems supporting major unit
operation. Buttons at bottom of screen take to level four procedures Graphics Principals Process Overview Displays
1930’s universally adopted graphic rendition for subway
depiction. The key is depiction of topography, not geography Graphics Principals Process Overview Displays
Conceptual High Performance HMI rendition of the London Tube
discussed earlier High Performance HMI Evaluation • Based on principals of High Performance HMI handbook • Takes subjectivity out of the equation, systematic approach • All screens are evaluated for each respective HMI • Each screen receives a score based on six criteria o Ease to keep track of processes under normal conditions o Effectively monitors and informs of abnormal conditions o Abnormalities can be handled entirely from within the HMI o In event of abnormality HMI operator is not distracted o During abnormality HMI only prompts relate to problem resolution o Holistic adherence to High Performance HMI “good practices” regarding graphics, navigation, workstation, environmental, and alarm management factors (described earlier) Conclusion
Sophisticated, capable, computer-based control systems are currently
operated via ineffective and problematic HMIs, which were designed without adequate knowledge. In many cases, guidelines did not exist at the time of graphic creation and the resistance to change has kept those graphics in commission for two or more decades. The functionality and effectiveness of these systems can be greatly enhanced if redesigned in accordance with proper principles. A High Performance HMI is practical and achievable. Thank You!
