This introduction is not a normative part of this book.
Welcome to Procedure Automation
Industrial automation has transformed how we operate manufacturing facilities, refineries, chemical plants, and power generation stations. At the heart of this transformation lies procedure automation - the systematic automation of operational procedures that were once executed manually by operators.
This book introduces the IEC-TBD standard (equivalent to CDL Procedural Automation) for procedure automation in continuous process operations. But this is not your typical standards document. This is an educational guide designed to make complex industrial automation concepts accessible, practical, and applicable.
The Challenge We’re Addressing
Industrial standards are essential - they provide the framework, terminology, and best practices that enable successful automation projects. However, they’re typically written for experienced professionals and can be challenging for:
- Students beginning their careers in process automation
- New engineers transitioning into procedure automation
- Experienced engineers learning procedure automation for the first time
- Operations personnel who need to understand what’s being automated
- Managers who need to make informed decisions about automation investments
- Anyone who finds traditional standards documentation dry and difficult to penetrate
The IEC-TBD standard is comprehensive and technically rigorous - as it should be. But comprehensive doesn’t have to mean impenetrable. Rigorous doesn’t have to mean inaccessible.
Our Educational Approach
This book transforms the IEC-TBD standard into an educational resource while maintaining technical accuracy and completeness. Every concept has been:
Rewritten for Clarity:
- Control Engineer comprehension level - Complex concepts explained in clear, straightforward language
- Plain English translations - Technical terms defined and explained practically
- “Think of it like this” - Analogies and comparisons that make abstract concepts concrete
Enhanced with Examples:
- Industry-focused scenarios - Refineries, chemical plants, power generation, manufacturing
- Real-world applications - Actual startup procedures, shutdown sequences, control strategies
- Concrete illustrations - Specific equipment (pumps, reactors, distillation columns) not generic abstractions
- Before/after comparisons - Manual vs. automated approaches clearly contrasted
Organized for Learning:
- Logical progression - Foundation concepts before advanced topics
- Clear structure - Each chapter with objectives, content, comprehensive summary
- Visual aids - Hierarchies, flowcharts, examples throughout
- Practical advice - How to actually apply concepts in real projects
Focused on Application:
- What you need to know - Essential concepts emphasized
- When to use it - Practical guidance on application
- Common pitfalls - Mistakes to avoid based on industry experience
- Best practices - Proven approaches that work
Analogies
You’ll notice we use industrial analogies. This is professional industrial automation using real industry examples:
- Refineries processing crude oil
- Chemical plants producing products
- Power stations generating electricity
- Manufacturing facilities making goods
We treat you as the professional you are (or are becoming), using the actual context where these concepts apply.
What This Book Covers
This first volume of the series provides a complete introduction to procedure automation fundamentals. The thirteen chapters correspond to the essential sections of the IEC-TBD standard:
Foundation Chapters (1-3)
Chapter 1: Scope - What procedure automation is, what this standard covers (and doesn’t cover), and when to apply it
Chapter 2: References - Supporting standards and how they relate to IEC-TBD
Chapter 3: Definitions and Terminology - The language of procedure automation, organized thematically for understanding rather than alphabetically
Conceptual Framework (4-5)
Chapter 4: Models - The three essential models (Physical, Specification, Implementation) that provide the framework for all procedure automation
Chapter 5: Automation Styles - State-Based Control and Sequence-Based Control approaches, when to use each, and how they differ
Strategic Foundation (6-8)
Chapter 6: Lifecycle Management Strategy - The V-Model approach and overall lifecycle framework
Chapter 7: Procedure Automation Strategy - Developing organizational philosophy and approach
Chapter 8: Company Resources - Building the philosophy, toolkit, and organizational capability
Lifecycle Phases (9-13)
Chapter 9: Planning and Definition - Starting projects right with proper scoping and prioritization
Chapter 10: Specifications and Design - Creating Functional Requirements (FRS) and Detailed Design (DDS) specifications
Chapter 11: Implementation - Building, testing, and deploying automation systems
Chapter 12: Operation - Sustaining and improving automation through daily operation
Chapter 13: Retirement - Proper decommissioning and knowledge preservation
Each chapter includes:
- Objective section - What you’ll learn and why it matters
- Comprehensive content - Complete coverage of the topic
- Extensive examples - Industry scenarios throughout
- Summary section - Key takeaways and practical advice
Part of a Larger Series
This book is Volume 1 of a three-volume series on IEC-TBD procedure automation:
Volume 1: Introduction to Procedural Automation for Continuous Operation (This Book)
- Foundation concepts and terminology
- Models and automation styles
- Strategies and philosophies
- Complete lifecycle from planning through retirement
- For: Everyone who needs to understand procedure automation fundamentals
Volume 2: Control Designer Tools Implementation Guide (Forthcoming)
- Practical implementation techniques
- DCS and PLC programming approaches
- Toolkit development
- HMI design and implementation
- Testing and commissioning methods
- For: Engineers who design and implement procedure automation
Volume 3: Control Designer Cases (Forthcoming)
- Real-world case studies
- Complete project examples
- Lessons learned from actual implementations
- Industry-specific applications
- Troubleshooting and problem-solving
- For: Practitioners seeking real-world application examples
Together, these three volumes provide a complete education in procedure automation - from foundational concepts through practical implementation to real-world application.
Who Should Read This Book
Primary Audience
Students in automation, control engineering, or chemical engineering:
- Foundation knowledge for careers in process automation
- Clear introduction to industrial automation concepts
- Practical context for academic learning
- Professional terminology and frameworks
Early-career engineers (0-5 years experience):
- Systematic introduction to procedure automation
- Industry-standard frameworks and terminology
- Practical guidance for real projects
- Foundation for professional development
Experienced engineers new to procedure automation:
- Structured approach to new domain
- Standard terminology and methods
- How procedure automation differs from other automation
- Application of existing skills to new area
Secondary Audience
Operations personnel:
- Understanding what’s being automated and why
- How to effectively use automated procedures
- Providing input to automation projects
- Troubleshooting and problem-solving
Project managers:
- Understanding procedure automation projects
- What’s involved in each lifecycle phase
- Resource requirements and timelines
- How to plan and execute successfully
Technical managers and directors:
- Strategic decisions about automation approach
- Building organizational capability
- Investment justification and ROI
- Long-term planning and standards
How to Use This Book
For Comprehensive Learning
If you’re new to procedure automation:
- Start with Chapters 1-3 (Scope, References, Definitions)
- Understand boundaries and terminology
- Build foundation vocabulary
- Learn how standards relate
- Study Chapters 4-5 (Models, Automation Styles)
- Master the fundamental frameworks
- Understand the two automation approaches
- These are critical - take your time
- Progress through Chapters 6-8 (Strategies and Resources)
- Understand organizational approach
- Learn how companies build capability
- See the bigger picture
- Work through Chapters 9-13 (Lifecycle Phases)
- Follow a project from start to finish
- Understand what happens in each phase
- Learn best practices and pitfalls
- Return as Reference
- Reference specific chapters as needed
- Use summaries for quick review
- Apply concepts to your projects
As a Reference
If you’re using this for specific topics:
- Definitions: Chapter 3 - organized thematically, comprehensive
- Models: Chapter 4 - all three models explained with examples
- Automation styles: Chapter 5 - State-Based vs. Sequence-Based
- Lifecycle phases: Chapters 9-13 - detailed phase-by-phase guidance
- Each chapter is self-contained - read what you need when you need it
For Training Programs
If you’re teaching procedure automation:
- Each chapter includes learning objectives - clear teaching goals
- Extensive examples throughout - real-world scenarios for discussion
- Summaries with key takeaways - reinforce main points
- Practical advice sections - application guidance
- Common pitfalls identified - what to avoid and why
Consider teaching sequence:
- Weeks 1-2: Foundation (Chapters 1-5)
- Weeks 3-4: Strategy (Chapters 6-8)
- Weeks 5-8: Lifecycle (Chapters 9-13), one or two phases per week
For Project Teams
If your team is executing an automation project:
- Planning phase: Study Chapter 9 before starting
- Specifications phase: Chapter 10 provides detailed guidance
- Design phase: Chapter 10 continues through design
- Implementation phase: Chapter 11 is comprehensive guide
- Operation phase: Chapter 12 for sustained success
- Throughout: Reference Chapters 4-5 for models and styles
What Makes This Book Different
Compared to the Standard
The IEC-TBD Standard provides:
- Normative requirements (must follow)
- Technical rigor and precision
- Industry consensus approach
- Compliance framework
This Book provides:
- Educational approach (designed to teach)
- Clear explanations with examples
- Learning framework and progression
- Application guidance
Both are needed: This book teaches the concepts; the standard provides the authoritative requirements.
Compared to Other Educational Materials
Traditional textbooks:
- Often theoretical, limited practical application
- Academic focus rather than industry practice
- May not reflect current industry standards
This book:
- Based on industry standard (IEC-TBD)
- Practical, industry-focused examples throughout
- Current best practices
- Professional context
Vendor training:
- Platform-specific (one DCS or PLC brand)
- Product-focused rather than concept-focused
- May not cover complete lifecycle
This book:
- Platform-independent concepts
- Complete lifecycle coverage
- Vendor-neutral approach
- Transferable knowledge
Technical Accuracy and Attribution
This educational guide is based on the IEC-TBD international standard (equivalent to CDL Procedural Automation) for procedure automation in continuous process operations. While we’ve transformed the presentation for educational purposes, the technical content remains faithful to the standard.
Key points:
- Concepts and frameworks: Directly from IEC-TBD
- Terminology and definitions: Standard definitions, explained and contextualized
- Models and methodologies: As defined in the standard
- Best practices: Industry consensus captured in the standard
- Examples and explanations: Added for educational clarity
This book is an educational companion to, not a replacement for, the official standard. For normative requirements and formal compliance, refer to:
- IEC-TBD - International standard (International Electrotechnical Commission)
- CDL Procedural Automation - CTRL Designer LLC procedure automation framework
Both are substantively equivalent, with IEC-TBD being the international version.
Acknowledgments
This work builds on the foundation laid by the dedicated professionals who developed the IEC-TBD standard. Their expertise, experience, and commitment to consensus-based standards development have provided the automation community with an invaluable framework.
We acknowledge:
- The IEC TC65 technical committee and working groups
- The CDL Procedural Automation team members and contributors
- The process automation industry for supporting standards development
- The companies and facilities whose experiences inform best practices
- The educators and trainers who help professionals learn and grow
Looking Forward
Continue Your Learning
Volume 2: Control Designer Tools Implementation Guide will provide:
- Detailed implementation techniques for various DCS/PLC platforms
- Programming patterns and best practices
- Toolkit development and management
- HMI design and implementation specifics
- Testing frameworks and methodologies
- Commissioning strategies
Volume 3: Control Designer Cases will present:
- Complete real-world case studies
- Project examples from various industries
- Problem-solving approaches
- Lessons learned from actual implementations
- Troubleshooting guides
- Industry-specific considerations
Final Thoughts
Procedure automation transforms how we operate industrial facilities. Done well, it improves safety, increases efficiency, reduces costs, enhances quality, and makes operations more sustainable. Done poorly, it wastes money, frustrates operators, and fails to deliver value.
The difference between success and failure often comes down to knowledge - understanding the fundamentals, following proven approaches, learning from those who’ve gone before, and applying best practices systematically.
This book aims to provide that knowledge in an accessible, practical, and comprehensive way. Whether you’re a student beginning your career, an engineer transitioning to procedure automation, or an experienced professional seeking deeper understanding, we hope this guide accelerates your learning and contributes to your success.
The journey from manual to automated procedures is challenging but rewarding. The frameworks, models, and approaches in this book provide a proven path. The examples and practical advice help you navigate that path successfully.
Welcome to the world of procedure automation. Let’s begin.
How to Provide Feedback
We welcome your feedback to improve future editions:
- What concepts were particularly clear or unclear?
- What examples were most helpful?
- What topics need more or less coverage?
- What questions weren’t answered?
- How are you using this book?
Your input helps us serve the automation community better.
Dedicated to the engineers, operators, managers, and students who make our industrial facilities safe, efficient, and sustainable through thoughtful application of automation technology.