Design clear, high-performance AVEVA™ InTouch HMI screens that improve operator awareness and reduce errors. Learn situational awareness concepts and examples.
The primary purpose of an HMI is to give operators fast, accurate awareness of plant conditions. Poorly designed screens — cluttered layouts, overuse of colors, or lack of context — can slow decision-making and lead to costly mistakes.
Modern InTouch screen design should follow high-performance HMI principles and leverage the Situational Awareness Library to create displays that highlight problems, not hide them.
Design Principles
Keep It Simple
Operators should immediately understand what matters. Avoid cramming every sensor on one screen. Instead, focus on key process indicators.
Use Color Sparingly
Bright colors should be reserved for abnormal states (alarms, trips). Normal operation should be shown in grayscale or neutral tones, so problems stand out.
Standardize Navigation
Consistent menus and layouts reduce operator training time and prevent confusion.
Provide Context
Group equipment by process area (e.g., Raw Water Intake, Treatment, Distribution) so operators know where issues occur.
Example & Best Practice:
At one chemical plant, operator screens displayed every pump and tank in bright colors all the time. During a trip, alarms were visually lost in the noise. After redesigning screens with grayscale for normal states and red/yellow only for abnormal states, operators immediately spotted critical issues and responded faster.
Best practice: Start every project with a screen design standard. Use the Situational Awareness Library in InTouch to enforce consistent colors, symbols, and navigation.
A well-designed InTouch screen doesn’t just look better — it helps operators make faster, safer decisions. By applying high-performance HMI principles, you reduce errors and improve plant reliability.
Want to go beyond theory? Our AVEVA™ InTouch HMI Training includes hands-on screen design labs where you’ll learn situational awareness concepts, design modern graphics, and apply global best practices to real-world HMI projects.
Register today and transform how your operators see and respond to your process.
