HMI navigation

HMI (Human Machine Interface) pages should be designed to provide the operator functional groups of related information in a predictable and consistent manner. The structure should correspond to the operator's mental model of the system and of the process.

Grouping data can be done in a variety of ways. Following the physical location is usually one of the most effective. Consider also the work-flow - which tasks are performed most often, and which are seldom used?

Navigational hierarchy should be developed allowing the operator to drill down to greater levels of detail. For instance, summary pages could lead to more detailed pages on specific equipment or processes. In addition to the hierarchical structure, we can create links across the structure to reach pages with related information with just one click. All information and operating elements should be accessible within a maximum of 2 to 3 clicks from the home page.Always provide a clear way back to previous page.

A clear and consistent backward function (button) prevents confusion, especially when moving between related but hierarchically distant pages, and helps operators avoid feeling lost.

Every visualization page needs a name. If the visualization is multilingual, it is good if the pages have also a unique numbering next to the name. This is particularly useful for easier orientation and understanding if the page is displayed in a foreign language and we need to provide support.

Try to optimize the structure and navigation for the user so that it is as efficient as possible. The design must provide immediate answers to these user's questions:

What page am I on?

What other pages are there?

Where should I go from here?

How do I get back to where I was before?

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