HMI screen layout principles in SCADA systems - Step-by-Step Execution

Process Flow - HMI screen layout principles

Start: Define Purpose

↓

Organize Information

↓

Use Clear Visual Hierarchy

↓

Apply Consistent Layout

↓

Ensure Readability & Accessibility

↓

Test & Refine Layout

↓

End

This flow shows the step-by-step process to design an effective HMI screen layout, starting from defining the purpose to testing and refining.

Execution Sample

SCADA systems

1. Define screen purpose
2. Group related controls
3. Use size and color for importance
4. Keep layout consistent
5. Use readable fonts and colors
6. Test with users

This sequence outlines the main steps to create a user-friendly HMI screen layout.

Process Table

Step	Action	Reason	Effect on Layout
1	Define screen purpose	Clarifies what user needs to do	Focuses design on key tasks
2	Group related controls	Helps users find controls easily	Reduces confusion and clutter
3	Use size and color for importance	Highlights critical info	Draws user attention appropriately
4	Keep layout consistent	Supports user learning and memory	Speeds up operation and reduces errors
5	Use readable fonts and colors	Ensures information is clear	Improves readability and accessibility
6	Test with users	Validates design effectiveness	Identifies issues and areas to improve
7	End	All principles applied	Ready for deployment

💡 All layout principles applied and tested, ensuring effective HMI screen design

Status Tracker

Layout Aspect	Initial State	After Step 2	After Step 4	Final
Information Organization	Undefined	Grouped by function	Consistent grouping	Optimized grouping
Visual Hierarchy	No emphasis	Basic size/color used	Consistent emphasis	Clear and effective emphasis
Readability	Poor font/color	Improved fonts	Consistent fonts/colors	High readability and accessibility

Key Moments - 3 Insights

Why is grouping related controls important?

Grouping related controls reduces confusion by helping users find what they need quickly, as shown in step 2 of the execution table.

What does consistent layout help with?

Consistent layout supports user learning and speeds up operation by making the interface predictable, as explained in step 4.

Why test the layout with users?

Testing with users reveals real problems and areas for improvement, ensuring the design works well in practice, as in step 6.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution table, at which step is visual hierarchy first applied?

A Step 2

B Step 4

C Step 3

D Step 5

💡 Hint

Check the 'Action' column for when size and color are used for importance.

According to the variable tracker, what is the state of readability after step 4?

A Basic fonts used

B Consistent fonts and colors

C Poor font and color

D High readability and accessibility

💡 Hint

Look at the 'Readability' row under 'After Step 4' column.

If you skip testing with users, which effect from the execution table might be missed?

A Identifies issues and areas to improve

B Focuses design on key tasks

C Draws user attention appropriately

D Reduces confusion and clutter

💡 Hint

Refer to step 6's 'Effect on Layout' in the execution table.

Concept Snapshot

HMI Screen Layout Principles:
1. Define clear purpose
2. Group related controls
3. Use size/color for emphasis
4. Keep layout consistent
5. Ensure readability and accessibility
6. Test with users to refine

Full Transcript

This visual execution guide shows how to design an HMI screen layout step-by-step. First, define the screen's purpose to focus on key tasks. Next, group related controls to reduce confusion. Then, apply visual hierarchy using size and color to highlight important information. Keep the layout consistent to help users learn and operate faster. Use readable fonts and colors to improve clarity and accessibility. Finally, test the layout with users to find and fix issues. Tracking variables like information organization, visual hierarchy, and readability shows how the layout improves at each step. Key moments clarify why grouping, consistency, and testing matter. The quiz checks understanding of when visual hierarchy is applied, readability states, and the importance of testing. This approach ensures an effective, user-friendly HMI screen design.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of grouping related items together on an HMI screen?

easy

A. To make the screen look more complex

B. To make the screen easier to understand and use

C. To increase the number of buttons

D. To use more colors on the screen

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand grouping concept

   Grouping related items helps users find information quickly and reduces confusion.

2. Step 2: Consider user experience

   A clear layout improves safety and efficiency by making controls intuitive.

3. Final Answer:

   To make the screen easier to understand and use -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Grouping = Easier use [OK]

Hint: Group related controls for clarity and ease [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking more colors always improve clarity
• Adding too many buttons without grouping
• Ignoring user navigation needs

2. Which of the following is the correct way to label buttons on an HMI screen?

easy

A. Use clear, descriptive text like 'Start Pump 1'

B. Use vague terms like 'Start' without context

C. Use only icons without any text

D. Use random colors without meaning

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify labeling best practice

   Clear, descriptive labels help users understand button functions immediately.

2. Step 2: Avoid vague or confusing labels

   Labels like 'Start Pump 1' are better than generic or icon-only labels for clarity.

3. Final Answer:

   Use clear, descriptive text like 'Start Pump 1' -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Clear labels = Better understanding [OK]

Hint: Use clear text labels, not vague or icon-only [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using unclear or generic button names
• Relying only on icons without text
• Ignoring color meaning in labels

3. Consider this HMI screen layout code snippet:

screen = {
  'title': 'Main Panel',
  'buttons': [
    {'label': 'Start', 'color': 'green'},
    {'label': 'Stop', 'color': 'red'},
    {'label': 'Reset', 'color': 'yellow'}
  ]
}

What is the main issue with this layout?

medium

A. Button colors do not match their typical meanings

B. Button labels are too descriptive

C. The screen title is missing

D. There are too many buttons

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze button colors and meanings

   Green for 'Start' matches (go/action), red for 'Stop' matches (danger/stop), but yellow for 'Reset' does not--yellow typically means caution/warning, not reset.

2. Step 2: Confirm other options

   Labels are simple (not too descriptive), title present, few buttons--issue is color mismatch.

3. Final Answer:

   Button colors do not match their typical meanings -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Colors should match meaning [OK]

Hint: Match button colors to their common meanings [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring color conventions
• Assuming more buttons are always bad
• Overlooking screen title presence

4. You notice an HMI screen is cluttered with many controls and colors. What is the best way to fix this?

medium

A. Remove all labels to save space

B. Add more colors to differentiate controls

C. Group related controls and reduce color usage

D. Increase screen brightness

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify clutter causes

   Too many controls and colors make the screen confusing and hard to use.

2. Step 2: Apply layout principles

   Grouping related controls and limiting colors improves clarity and usability.

3. Final Answer:

   Group related controls and reduce color usage -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Less clutter = Better usability [OK]

Hint: Group controls and limit colors to reduce clutter [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Adding more colors increases confusion
• Removing labels reduces clarity
• Changing brightness does not fix layout

5. You need to design an HMI screen for a complex system with many controls. Which approach best follows good layout principles?

hard

A. Use flashing colors to attract attention to all controls

B. Put all controls on one screen with random colors for each

C. Use only icons without labels to save space

D. Create multiple screens grouping related controls and use consistent colors

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand complexity management

   Complex systems require breaking down controls into manageable groups to avoid overwhelming users.

2. Step 2: Apply layout best practices

   Using multiple screens with grouped controls and consistent colors improves navigation and safety.

3. Step 3: Avoid poor practices

   Random colors, icon-only labels, and flashing colors cause confusion and reduce usability.

4. Final Answer:

   Create multiple screens grouping related controls and use consistent colors -> Option D

5. Quick Check:

   Group + consistent colors = Best design [OK]

Hint: Use multiple grouped screens with consistent colors [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to fit all controls on one screen
• Using random or flashing colors
• Relying only on icons without text