February 2019

Section Meeting
HMI Usability and Performance
ISA TR101.02
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ISA Technical Report 101.02
HMI Usability and Performance
ISA 101 Committee

Committee formed in 2006 to establish standards, recommended practices, and/or technical reports for
designing, implementing, using, and/or managing human machine interfaces in process automation
applications

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

• Approved July 9, 2015

Over 300 Voting Members

• Integrator, Engineering & Construction 35%
• End User 27%
• Vendor/Supplier 25%
• General (Academic, Government, Consultant etc.) 13%

• Worldwide participation in review process

The Purpose of ISA 101

Address the design, implementation, and maintenance of human machine

interfaces (HMIs) for process automation systems, to:
• Provide guidance to design, build, and maintain HMIs which result in more effective
and efficient control of the process, in both normal and abnormal situations
• Improve the user’s abilities to detect, diagnose, and properly respond to abnormal
situations
• Look at the HMI holistically – not just the display

Standards are the “What”

Technical Reports and Recommended Practices are the “How”
Who Cares About HMI Standards

Users
• Responsible for safe and productive operation of equipment and facility
• Live with the HMI and support it for it’s lifetime

Integrators, Designers, Engineers

• Design and build the HMI applications
• Commission the HMI, and the associated process

Suppliers
• Develop the software and hardware needed to build the HMI
• Develop the interfaces/drivers needed for an HMI to transfer data and information
to and from multiple sources
ISA 101 Working Groups

WG1 - HMI Philosophy & Style Guide Development

• This technical report will describe example applications of the Philosophy and Style Guide to
various Process Automation Systems use cases, and will be platform independent (41 members)
• Co-chairs; David Lee and Lothar Lang
WG2 – HMI Usability and Performance
• This technical report(s) will be used to assess the effectiveness of the HMI application, and how
the use of the standard will assist in improving related metrics (29 members)
• Co-chairs; David Board and Ruth Schiedermayer
WG3 – HMI for Mobile Devices
• Develop technical report(s) to evaluate and define the use of mobile devices as HMI stations and
how to effectively implement an HMI for use on a mobile device (21 members)
• Co-chairs; Mark Nixon and Peder Brandt
WG4 – HMI for On-Machine Applications
• Develop technical report(s) to effectively implement a machine-level HMI utilizing an operator
interface terminal
• Co-chairs; Arlen Jacobs and David Board
ISA TR101.02 Content

1 – Scope
2 – References
3 – Definition of terms and acronyms
4 – HMI usability and performance
5 – Usability
6 – Performance
7 – HMI Effectiveness
Annex A (Informative) – HMI effectiveness measurements
Annex B (Informative) – A case study of effective HMI design for increasing
usability
HMI Lifecycle

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
Example testing of HMI modifications

Method 1: Newly created/modified displays available only on the engineering console.

Operators are directed to familiarize themselves with the modified displays on the engineering console.
After familiarization and any corrections made based on feedback, the modified displays replace the
versions on the operator’s console.
Method 2: Newly created/modified and renamed version of displays available only on the operator's console.
Limit access to these by requiring that they be called up via direct name entry rather than incorporation
into the HMI navigation, or make them selectable in a secured access "TEST" section of the HMI
navigation. Direct the operators to use these graphics for testing and familiarization. When completed,
delete the original displays and rename the modified ones to those original names, thus ensuring their
proper access in the existing HMI navigation and links to other displays.
Method 3: Prior to deployment, newly created/modified displays only available on a training system.
In some cases, testing, familiarization, and operator training is carried out on a system completely
separate and isolated from the actual process to avoid any chance of the testing affecting the process.
For thorough testing, simulation of the process is possible.
Usability – HMI Design - Color

8% of men and 0.5% of women are red-green color impaired

High Contrast Color and Redundant Coding

Use of color should be standardized for certain functions (ie Red for
Alarms and Yellow for Warnings)
Effective Displays
Effective Displays
Effective Displays
Effective Displays
Radar Chart Examples
Startup and Inhibitors Table / Checklist

The main points that make this figure a good table for
imparting information are as follows:
a) conditions requiring action are differentiated and
highlighted;
b) conditions that are resolved are grayed out making
it easier to sense progress;
c) good alignment of condition status texts improves
readability;
d) consistent vertical padding in rows increases
readability; and
e) descriptions are left justified and use mixed-case
text to improve readability.
 Startup and Inhibitors Table / Checklist

The main points that make this figure a good table for
indicating equipment states are as follows:

a) increased reading dynamic by grouping A2 items and B2

items on separate rows;
b) limited grid formatting with a low contrast line separator;
c) generous margins, padding and spacing which increases
readability; and
d) abnormal equipment status notification is provided by
redundant means. In the example in Figure 16 the color
of the square encompassing the equipment, the number
and the symbol clearly indicate where an abnormal
condition is and its severity.
 Clear Messaging Methods

When showing information to the operator in text form, the

text should be legible from the expected operator position(s).

Invisible states that appear to the operator only on specific

contexts should be avoided.

The operator should be able to fully confirm the current state

anytime, meaning that an invisible object cannot represent a
state (since it cannot be differentiated from no object at all).

Example:
BLOWN FUSE visible and highlighted to indicate a blown
fuse and not visible to indicate normal state is incorrect.
Text should read BLOWN FUSE to indicate a blown fuse and
FUSE OK to indicate normal state.
Trend Examples
Trend Examples
Trend Recommendations

Trends make use of color to

distinguish between several values
being trended. The complexity of
the trend display can be managed
by the following recommendations:

a) no greater than 12 traces per

trend;

b) ability to distinguish traces by

way of symbols and/or ability to
"hide" and "show" specific traces
without deleting the trace; and

c) ensure color choices for traces

do not compete with the other
potential 11 traces on the trend,
nor the background color of the
trend.
Level 1 Display – Overview of the operator’s entire
span of control
Level 1 Display – Overview of the operator’s entire
span of control
Level 1 Display – Overview of the operator’s entire
span of control
Level 2 Display – Primary operating display during
normal operations
Level 3 Display – Process diagnostics and
task execution support
Level 4 Display – Diagnostic, informational displays,
and faceplates
Level 4 Display – Diagnostic, informational displays,
and faceplates
Recommended HMI Performance Times
Recommended Times (all units in seconds unless otherwise stated)
HMI Category
Metric Display Type Machine Control Small System Process System SCADA System RTU System

Level 1, 4 1 3 5 5 5
Level 2, 3 1 2 2 2 5
Faceplate 1 1 1 1 3
Yoking n/a 4 4 4 10
Call Up Time
Real-time trend
5 5 5 5 5

Historical trend
5-15 5-15 5-15 5-15 5-15

Level 1, 4 <1 2 5 5 5
Level 2, 3 <1 2 5 5 5
Faceplate <1 2 3 3 5
Yoking n/a 2 5 5 5
Display Refresh Rate
Real-time trend
<1 1 1 1 1

5-15 5-15 5-15 5-15 5-15

Historical trend

Write Time Applies to all display Based on

types communication
1 1 1 1
schedule and
bandwidth

Based on network
topology
Applies to all display
Write Refresh Time 3 5 5 5
types <5 minutes for
very large
systems

Alarm summary
1 1 1 1 1

Access to alarm Alarm lists such as

displays suppressed alarms
2 5 5 5 5

Critical displays
1-2 clicks 1-2 clicks 1-2 clicks 1-2 clicks 1-2 clicks

Non-critical displays
3 clicks 3 clicks 3 clicks 3 clicks 3 clicks
Navigation
Alarm summary
1 click 1 click 1 click 1 click 1 click

System diagnostics
1-2 clicks 1-2 clicks 1-2 clicks 1-2 clicks 1-2 clicks

Switching operators
5 5 5 5 5

System state changes Runtime language

change 2 2 2 2 2
Assessing HMI Effectiveness

Methods that could be used to assess or measure the HMI effectiveness include:
a) operator performance;
b) key performance metrics;
c) situation awareness measurement;
d) operator response time;
e) operator stress level;
f) how frequently the assessment of effectiveness should be carried out; and
g) questionnaires and social surveys.
Annex B – A case study of effective HMI design for
increasing usability
1990 Electric Power Research Institute
(EPRI) Simulator
• No graphic hierarchy
• No overview
• Many controller elements are not
shown on any of the existing graphics
• 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 trends are implemented, “trend-
on-demand” rarely used by the
operators
• Alarm conditions generally not
indicated on graphics – even if the
• Existing Overview
value is a precursor to an automated
action
Annex B – Level 1 System 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
Annex B – Level 2 Pulverizer Control Graphic
Three to One
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 f ans 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 dif f 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 f eeder 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

Annex B – Abnormal Situation Graphic
UNIT 2: RUNBACK Graphic 1 11-13-2012 14:22:09

• The operator response for many 750 3000

5
8

abnormal plant situations is to cut 700

rates by half, from 700MW to 350MW. 600

Main
Steam
LPT-A
3.2

Called a “runback,” this is a Gross

psig
2400
In.hg

complicated and stressful procedure

LPT-B
MW
3.0
562 Furn In.hg

that takes about 20 minutes to 20 Min

Pres
in.H2O 20 Min

accomplish. If done incorrectly or if

-0.5
400

important parameters are missed, the

20 Min
350 0
-0.5
plant can fall to zero output. 300 0

7500 Reserved
• One of the main purposes of the
Econ Sec Air A/F
Gross MW 562 TURBINE
MASTER MAN O2 % in.H2O Ratio 10 Faceplate
Zone
simulator was to periodically re-train
20
TRICON VERY TURBINE Air

the operators for this situation. The

LOAD RATE: FAST FOLLOW KLBH
7400
TRICON BOILER When any item
100.0%
operators have to use more than a DEMAND:
ACS
FOLLOW
COORD
Econ
O2%
on the screen is
selected, the

dozen of the existing graphics to 100.0% 5.0 f aceplate f or that

DEMAND: CONTROL
Sec item appears in
Input new ACS

accomplish the task, involving a lot of CONSTANT Air this reserved

DEMAND or
use buttons:
90.0% PRESSURE in.H2O area.

navigation activity around screen

7.0
7.0 5.0 7.1
Decrease Increase VARIABLE Auto Auto 20 min All control

callups and dismissals, along with Load Load PRESSURE

7.0 5.0
0
0
manipulation is
accomplished

control manipulation.
50% 50% through the
0
standardized
f aceplates.
Boiler Fuel Reheat Aux Stm Furn LPT-A LPT-B A2 B2 Drum Turb-X1 Turb-X2

• The case study created special graphics

Main Steam
Master Master psig degF degF psig in. H2O in.hg in.hg BPFT BPFT Top>Bot °F Mills Mills

specifically designed to assist in this 2402 65.1

task. Specific abnormal situation Auto
2200
Auto
65.0
detection and response graphics are an 50% 48%

important element of a High

Performance HMI.
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

What’s wrong with this display?