Agenda at a glance

1. Understanding process behavior and variability
2. Control objectives and the right strategy for each unit operation
3. PID control essentials and common pitfalls
4. Practical tuning methods and quick wins
5. Instrumentation quality, valves, and final control elements
6. Case studies, exercises, and site action planning

• Improve loop stability and product quality with practical PID tuning techniques you can apply right away
• Reduce troubleshooting time by reading process behavior and diagnosing issues quickly
• Strengthen safety, reliability, and compliance with field‑ready best practices
• Learn from real case studies that connect control theory to plant results
• Leave with a clear action plan for your site

Certificate: Proof of completion provided

What you will learn

Core concepts that drive better control

• How process dynamics influence controller response
• Choosing the right control strategy for the application
• Tuning PID loops for stability, speed, and robustness
• Managing disturbances, dead time, and nonlinearity
• Recognizing instrumentation issues that look like tuning problems

Tools and methods that work on the plant floor

• Step testing, data capture, and safe bump tests
• Loop performance indicators and simple health checks
• Controller modes, setpoint strategies, and anti‑reset windup
• When to retune and how to document changes responsibly

Special topics

• Strategies for integrating analyzers and advanced measurements
• Control considerations for valves, positioners, and actuation
• Working with different process types: continuous, batch, utilities
• KPI design that links control performance to business outcomes

• Operators and technicians who want repeatable methods to stabilize loops and cut variability
• Process and controls engineers who are upgrading systems or tackling chronic control issues
• Supervisors and managers focused on throughput, quality, and energy reduction

No advanced math is required. The course focuses on hands‑on process control optimization with plain‑language explanations and field‑tested workflows.

Q: Do I need prior tuning experience
A: No. The seminar starts with fundamentals and quickly moves into hands‑on methods you can apply the same week.

Q: Will this cover both utilities and process units
A: Yes. Examples include utilities, continuous and batch operations, and common unit ops found across process industries.

Q: Can I bring my own data or loop list
A: Yes. Time is set aside for questions and scenario discussions. Bring anonymized trends if possible.

Michel Ruel, an ISA Fellow and Life Member, is a distinguished educator and automation expert with over 40 years of industry experience and 15 years of teaching at top institutions. He has trained, lectured, and consulted in over 15 countries, working with industry giants like NASA, Saudi Aramco, Rio Tinto, and ArcelorMittal, among others.

He recently co-chaired the ISA technical report on PID algorithms and performance in 2021-2023, remains an active member of the ISA Mentor Program, and was a pioneer in implementing fuzzy logic solutions throughout Canada. 

Michel’s prolific career includes authoring over 50 articles and 7 technical manuals in multiple languages, and developing 2 innovative simulation software programs. As the co-founder of Élite Technologies and Top Control, and with a decade of experience at BBA, including 5 years as Chief Engineer, Michel’s expertise is unparalleled. His extensive contributions to the field of automation make him an invaluable resource and an inspiring figure for anyone looking to excel in this industry.

Don’t just take our word for it!
Read more in this Interview with Michel Ruel (external source via Linkedin)