Your SCADA system is the central nervous system of your operation, providing critical visibility and control over remote assets. But like any complex system, it requires regular check-ups to ensure it's performing optimally. Over time, unaddressed issues like data gaps, outdated software, or nuisance alarms can turn a powerful asset into a significant liability. An annual performance audit is preventative maintenance for your operations, helping you identify and fix small problems before they cause major downtime. Use this checklist as a starting point to assess the health of your SCADA system.
Is Your SCADA System Healthy? A Checklist for Annual Performance Audits
Is Your SCADA System Healthy? A Checklist for Annual Performance Audits
1. Data Integrity & Accuracy
The core function of your SCADA system is to provide reliable data. If the data is wrong, every decision based on it is flawed.
Checklist: Are field sensors and instruments properly calibrated and providing accurate readings? Is data being logged completely, without unexplained gaps or corrupt files? Do the trends and reports generated by the system align with real-world field conditions?
2. Alarm Management
An effective alarm system alerts operators to critical issues. A poorly managed one creates noise and complacency, causing real problems to be missed.
Checklist: Are operators experiencing "alarm floods" where too many alerts come in at once? Are critical alarms being acknowledged and addressed promptly? Is your alarm callout system reliably notifying the correct personnel 24/7?
3. Network & Cybersecurity Health
In an increasingly connected world, your SCADA system can be a target for cyber threats. Security cannot be an afterthought.
Checklist: Are all system passwords strong and changed regularly? Has all software, including the operating system and PLC firmware, been updated with the latest security patches? Is remote access secured through a VPN or other authenticated methods?
4. Hardware Performance
The physical components of your SCADA system have a finite lifespan and can degrade over time, causing sluggish performance and unexpected failures.
Checklist: Are servers, HMIs, and RTUs running without lagging or freezing? Is there sufficient hard drive space for data logging and archives? Is any critical hardware approaching its manufacturer-recommended end-of-life?
5. Usability and Reporting
A SCADA system is only effective if your team can use it efficiently. An unintuitive interface or irrelevant reports can hinder productivity.
Checklist: Can operators quickly find the information they need to make decisions? Are the generated reports still relevant to your current business goals and KPIs? Could the HMI screens be redesigned for better clarity and efficiency?
This checklist can help you spot potential red flags, but a comprehensive audit often uncovers deeper issues. The expert team at G&C Optimization can perform a thorough analysis of your SCADA system, identifying weaknesses in your programming, network, and hardware. We help you move from simply collecting data to making it a reliable tool for driving efficiency and profitability. Contact G&C Optimization today to schedule a professional SCADA performance audit.