The evolution of process graphics

Today, it is common that control room operators do a substantial part of the work of designing the process graphics displays that are used in the control rooms. In doing this they acquire a great deal of valuable experience. Unfortunately, this experience often stays within the group of people directly involved. Useful experience is not transferred to other industrial areas or to new generations of display designers. Redesign of the process graphics occur frequently. After using a graphic display for some time, the operators wish to change the design. If there are efficient routines for handling such demands, the displays are redesigned accordingly in an iterative process. After some years the displays may be significantly different from the initial designs, and as a consequence, a more efficient information tool for the operators. The author addresses questions such as: how, and why, are the process graphics redesigned? Are there some common principles that apply to different industrial fields?.