ERGONOMIC 24/7 CONTROL ROOM DESIGN & CONSULTING

Human-centered design studies that help operators access critical information faster, reduce fatigue, and make confident decisions in demanding 24/7 environments.

THE NERVE CENTER OF YOUR FACILITY DEMANDS PRECISION DESIGN

In mission-critical 24/7 operations, operators are expected to monitor vast amounts of information, respond to changing conditions, and make critical decisions around the clock. Even small design shortcomings, such as poor sightlines, excessive noise, or inefficient workstation layouts, can increase fatigue, slow response times, and make important information harder to access.

 

ABB Design Studies place operators at the center of the design process. Through workflow analysis, operator engagement, ergonomic assessments, and ISO 11064 principles, we create environments that support situational awareness, effective decision-making, and long-term operator wellbeing.

TAILORED DESIGN STUDY PACKAGES BUILT UPON ISO 11064

<p>Choose the level of engagement that fits your project scope, timeline, and complexity. Every study delivers actionable 2D/3D layouts and standards-based ergonomic evaluations.</p>

Essential

Best suited for:

Small control rooms with tight deadlines, or projects with high customer awareness.

 

Scope & Methodology

  • Existing plans & photo analysis
  • Remote questionnaires & interviews
  • Layout concept development

Primary Deliverables

  • 2D/3D SketchUp model
  • AutoCAD DWG layout export
  • High-resolution photorealistic renderings
  • Design study summary report with layout and workstation recommendations

Standard

Best suited for:

Mid-sized or smaller control rooms with complex multi-operator requirements.

 

Scope & Methodology

  • Detailed customer data intake
  • On-site questionnaire & interviews
  • Layout concept development

Primary Deliverables

  • 2D/3D SketchUp model
  • AutoCAD DWG layout export
  • High-resolution photorealistic renderings
  • Design study summary report with layout and workstation recommendations
  • Material board suggestions

Extended

Best suited for:

Large-scale, multi-operator command centers requiring in-depth Human Factor studies.

 

Scope & Methodology

  • Comprehensive site observation & interviews
  • Complete Human Factors (HF) Study
  • Brand research & aesthetic mood board
  • Multi-round client design feedback

Primary Deliverables

  • 2D/3D SketchUp model
  • AutoCAD DWG layout export
  • High-resolution photorealistic renderings
  • Interactive 3D Model
  • Executive design study summary 
  • Material board suggestions
  • Complete HF Analysis report

Custom

Best suited for:

Projects with specialized requirements, phased engineering schedules, or clients who want to assemble a tailored scope from across our study packages.

 

Scope & Methodology

  • Modular Scope Selection: Pick and choose the exact activities needed, mix remote interviews, on-site studies, or dedicated workshops to fit your timeline
  • Flexible Site Presence: Tailor on-site vs. remote data collection to match facility access and budget constraints
  • Custom Integration: Tailored alignment with 3rd-party architectural, EPC, or vendor teams

Primary Deliverables

  • Customized deliverable package assembled to your specifications
  • 2D & 3D models and layout documentation matching your agreed scope

WHY LEADING OPERATIONS INVEST IN CONTROL ROOM DESIGN

<p>When operators can access information faster, maintain situational awareness, and collaborate effectively, organizations reduce operational risk, avoid costly disruptions, and improve long-term performance.</p>

Improve Operator Awareness

<p>Ergonomic sit-stand consoles, scientifically tuned circadian lighting, and acoustic dampening reduce operator fatigue, ensuring peak cognitive readiness 24/7.</p>

Improve Operational Performance

<p>When operators can quickly access and interpret critical information, organizations benefit from faster responses, fewer disruptions, and more consistent operational performance.</p>

Improve Team Collaboration

<p>Thoughtful spatial architecture fosters seamless communication between operators, supervisors, and field technicians without acoustic distraction.</p>

Avoid Costly Rework

<p>Front-loading ergonomic and architectural planning in 3D prevents costly post-build modifications, retrofits, and equipment clashes.</p>

OUR COLLABORATIVE DESIGN STUDY PROCESS

A successful control room begins with understanding the people who use it, the decisions they make, and the information they rely on every day. By combining operator input, workflow analysis, and ergonomic best practices, our four-step methodology transforms real-world insights into environments that support safer, faster, and more effective decision-making.

  1. Data Collection

     

    We begin with thorough discovery: reviewing architectural drawings, photos, operational workflows, and stakeholder questionnaires. For standard and extended packages, on-site visits and operator interviews capture real-world constraints.

  2. Analysis

     

    We synthesize operational requirements with Human Factors engineering principles. In a collaborative workshop, ABB specialists and your project team align on strategic objectives, sightlines, and technology footprints.

  3. Iterative Design

     

    Using 3D modeling tools, we explore multiple conceptual layouts. Through iterative feedback cycles covering sketches, spatial arrangements, and material/color boards, we refine the design until unanimous sign-off is achieved.

  4. Deliverables

    You receive a complete project handover: exportable SketchUp 3D models, AutoCAD DWG 2D layouts, photorealistic renderings, material specifications, and a comprehensive Design Study Summary Report.

WHAT IS ISO 11064 AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?

<p>ISO 11064 is the international standard for ergonomic control room design. It provides guidance for room layout, workstation design, sightlines and operator environments that support safe and effective decision making.</p> <p>ABB applies ISO 11064 principles throughout the design process to improve sightlines, optimize workstation layouts, and support more effective operator decision-making.</p> <p>By creating environments that support operator performance, organizations can reduce errors, avoid costly redesigns, improve response times, and protect long-term operational value.</p>

Did you know

The process industry loses 5% of annual production capacity to unplanned downtime. Up to 80% is preventable, with 40% caused by operator error, not equipment failure.

 

Key Facts

  • Alarm overload: Operators face 2,000+ alarms daily. Industry standards recommend only 6 per hour for optimal performance.
  • Ergonomic deficiencies: 76% of operators report chronic back pain; 70% suffer from eye strain due to poor workstation design.
  • Environmental impact: Poor air quality and noisy workspaces reduce operator productivity by up to 50%.
  • Measurable improvements: Well-designed control rooms achieve ≥50% alarm reduction and faster incident detection, without automation changes.

ABB Control Room Solutions delivers ISO 11064-compliant designs, proven ergonomics, and intelligent system integration, measurably improving operator performance, safety, and operational efficiency.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CONTROL ROOM DESIGN

  1. What is ISO 11064?

    ISO 11064 is the international standard for ergonomic control room design. It provides guidance for planning control room environments, workstation layouts, sightlines, operator workflows, and human-centered design principles that support safe and effective operations.

  2. Why is ISO 11064 important?

    Control rooms are environments where operators make critical decisions. ISO 11064 helps organizations create control room layouts that improve situational awareness, support operator wellbeing, reduce human error, and enhance operational performance.

  3. When should a control room design study be performed?

    A control room design study delivers the greatest value during early project phases, before construction or refurbishment begins. However, studies can also help improve existing control rooms by identifying ergonomic issues, visibility challenges, workflow inefficiencies, and opportunities for modernization.

  4. What deliverables are included?

    Deliverables may include 3D control room models, layout concepts, workstation recommendations, sightline studies, ergonomic assessments, design reports, and ISO 11064-aligned improvement recommendations tailored to the project's requirements.

  5. How can control room design reduce operational risk?

    Effective control room design helps operators identify issues sooner, make better decisions under pressure, and respond more effectively during critical situations. This can reduce operational risk, minimize costly disruptions, and improve overall facility performance.

  6. Can ABB support both new-build and modernization projects?

    Yes. ABB supports greenfield facilities, major modernization programs, and upgrades to existing control rooms through ergonomic design studies, workflow analysis, and implementation recommendations.

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TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR CONTROL ROOM PLANNING

3D Warehouse

Access our complete portfolio of ergonomic operator consoles, screen holders, and auxiliary furniture in native SketchUp 3D format for rapid concept layout.

BIM Object

Download certified Building Information Modeling (BIM) objects to integrate ABB control room equipment directly into your architectural and engineering plans.

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FROM DESIGN CONCEPT TO OPERATOR WORKPLACE

Orchestration X

A future-ready operator workplace designed to improve ergonomics, situational awareness and operational performance.

Unification X

Unified networked KVM platform centralizing multiple disparate control systems into a single, seamless operator interface without cluttering the physical workspace.

Collaboration X

A shared operational workspace that connects teams, systems and information through operational telepresence.

Extended Operator Workplace: EOW-i

A complete ecosystem of furniture, lighting and acoustic solutions that support operator wellbeing and performance.