July 6, 2026 — Automation professionals have always played a vital role in moving industry forward. From improving safety and reliability to enabling better operator performance, their expertise helps define what good looks like in real-world operations. Now there is a new opportunity to make a lasting impact on the profession: contributing to the work of the International Society of Automation’s ISA60 standards committee focused on industrial control centers.
ISA is seeking volunteers to help develop guidance and best practices for control centers. This committee’s work is intended to provide users, engineers and suppliers with well-established guidelines for the major developmental aspects of control centers and best practices related to human engineering, construction and documentation. For professionals across automation, this is more than a volunteer opportunity. It is a chance to help influence how industrial control centers are designed, understood and improved for years to come.
Why this work matters
Industrial control centers sit at the heart of critical operations. They are where people, processes and technology come together to support decision-making, system visibility and operational performance. When these environments are designed well, they can improve usability, strengthen safety and support better outcomes across the enterprise.
Yet many organizations still face challenges related to consistency, design expectations, operator needs and documentation practices. Standards development helps address those challenges by creating a shared foundation the industry can use and build upon.
By participating in ISA60, volunteers can help ensure that future guidance reflects practical experience, emerging needs and the realities of modern industrial environments.
A meaningful way to give back to the profession
Many automation professionals have benefited throughout their careers from the work of those who came before them—engineers, practitioners and technical leaders who contributed their knowledge to standards, recommended practices and shared industry guidance.
Serving on a standards committee is a direct way to continue that tradition. It allows professionals to:
- Share field-tested expertise
- Help establish common language and expectations
- Improve outcomes for future projects and facilities
- Support the next generation of automation practitioners
- Contribute to the long-term growth and credibility of the profession
This is the kind of work that extends beyond a single company or project. It strengthens the broader automation community.
A committee that needs diverse perspectives
ISA is looking for volunteers from a range of interest categories. That means this effort is not limited to one type of contributor. The committee is seeking participation from:
| Interest Category | Who It Includes |
| User | Individuals who use the type of product covered by the standard but are not involved in producing or distributing it |
| Producer | Individuals involved in design, engineering support, manufacturing, testing or marketing who represent a manufacturer or vendor |
| Regulatory/Government | Individuals representing government entities with regulatory interest or influence |
| Testing/Certification/Approval | Individuals from organizations that provide testing, certification or approval |
| Architect-Engineer, Engineer-Consructors, Integrators | Individuals involved in system or facility design, application engineering or installation support |
| General | Individuals such as academics, professional association experts, retirees or others not covered above |
This broad call for participation reflects an important truth: better standards come from balanced input. Effective control center guidance should be informed by those who design systems, those who operate them, those who support compliance and those who bring independent technical perspective.
Visit the ISA website and submit an application to participate in ISA60 and other standards committees.
