Learn how to collaborate and coordinate with other control logic designers and engineers. Discover best practices for communication, sharing, and integration.

The industrial automation world (PLC world, to be clear) seems to employ less version control than other fields like, for example, automotive and aerospace. This might have been sustainable so far, but going forward the software for these plants will become more and more complex - for various reasons, a push for higher efficiency in the era of AI and electrification, to mention one. For these reasons, we need to be ready to introduce modern software development practices (definitely good and simple version control) in this world otherwise we will not be able to develop the software that we need for the next steps.

Last updated on Oct 5, 2024

How do you collaborate and coordinate with other control logic designers and engineers?

Control logic is the art and science of designing and implementing logic circuits and programs that control the behavior and operation of machines, devices, and processes. As a control logic designer or engineer, you need to collaborate and coordinate with other professionals in your field to ensure the quality, efficiency, and safety of your projects. In this article, you will learn some tips and best practices on how to communicate, share, and integrate your control logic designs and solutions with others.

1 Define the scope and goals

Before you start working on your control logic design, you need to have a clear understanding of the scope and goals of the project. What are the requirements, specifications, and constraints of the system or process you are controlling? What are the expected outcomes, performance indicators, and success criteria? How will you measure and evaluate your results? By defining the scope and goals, you can align your expectations and objectives with your collaborators and stakeholders, and avoid confusion, ambiguity, and conflicts later on.

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Hemant Singh

Product Management | Control System Professional | Robotics | Energy Enthusiastic | Test Management
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It's important to know the process side of control logic i.e. why you need this logic or interlock. That will help to design and add value as control designer. Incase it's requires collaboration with Process team or SME we should do it too.

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2 Choose the right tools and platforms

To collaborate and coordinate effectively with other control logic designers and engineers, you need to use the right tools and platforms that facilitate communication, documentation, and integration. Depending on your project and preferences, you may use different software applications, programming languages, and frameworks to create and test your control logic designs. You may also use online platforms, such as cloud services, repositories, and version control systems, to store, share, and update your files and codes. You should choose the tools and platforms that are compatible, accessible, and secure for you and your collaborators, and follow the standards and protocols of your industry and organization.

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Simone Bertoni

Helping Control and Software Engineers Reach their Career Goals with Training Courses and Individual Working Sessions | PID Control Expert | Control and Electrical Engineering Team Manager at Ceres
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The industrial automation world (PLC world, to be clear) seems to employ less version control than other fields like, for example, automotive and aerospace. This might have been sustainable so far, but going forward the software for these plants will become more and more complex - for various reasons, a push for higher efficiency in the era of AI and electrification, to mention one. For these reasons, we need to be ready to introduce modern software development practices (definitely good and simple version control) in this world otherwise we will not be able to develop the software that we need for the next steps.

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3 Communicate frequently and clearly

Communication is key to any successful collaboration and coordination. You need to communicate frequently and clearly with your fellow control logic designers and engineers, as well as other project members, such as managers, clients, and end-users. You should use various channels and methods of communication, such as emails, calls, chats, meetings, reports, and presentations, to convey your ideas, feedback, questions, and issues. You should also use clear and concise language, avoid jargon and acronyms, and use diagrams, charts, and code snippets to illustrate your points. You should also listen actively, respect different opinions and perspectives, and acknowledge and address any concerns or problems.

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4 Share your knowledge and expertise

Collaboration and coordination are also opportunities to learn from each other and improve your skills and knowledge. You should share your expertise and experience with other control logic designers and engineers, and offer your help and support when needed. You should also seek feedback and advice from others, and be open to new ideas and suggestions. You should also participate in peer reviews, code reviews, testing, and debugging sessions, and contribute to the improvement and optimization of your control logic designs. By sharing your knowledge and expertise, you can enhance your professional development and build trust and rapport with your collaborators.

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5 Integrate your control logic designs

The final step of collaboration and coordination is to integrate your control logic designs with the rest of the system or process. This may involve connecting your logic circuits or programs with the hardware or software components, sensors, actuators, or interfaces that you are controlling. It may also involve ensuring the compatibility, interoperability, and scalability of your control logic designs with other systems or processes. You should follow the integration plan and guidelines of your project, and test and verify your control logic designs for functionality, performance, reliability, and safety. You should also document your control logic designs, including the inputs, outputs, parameters, functions, and algorithms, and share them with your collaborators and stakeholders.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How do you collaborate and coordinate with other control logic designers and engineers?

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1 Define the scope and goals

2 Choose the right tools and platforms

3 Communicate frequently and clearly

4 Share your knowledge and expertise

5 Integrate your control logic designs

6 Here’s what else to consider

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