On-process migration of controller(s) to utilize an IO pool

A non-transitory computer readable medium containing instructions for implementing a I/O software agent that when executed by a processor device of a first process controller in a process control system for running a process that is coupled to a first set of input/output (I/O) modules providing a plurality of first channels each coupled by a field device collectively comprising sensors and actuators to a first plurality of processing equipment, the I/O software agent configured for coupling to an I/O module pool which comprises a first I/O module and at least a second I/O module collectively providing a plurality of pooled channels each coupled by a respective field device to a second plurality of processing equipment the first and the second processing equipment configured together for running the process, the I/O software agent for:

• enabling addition of the first set of I/O modules to the I/O module pool;
• coupling a plurality of additional process controllers configured together in a controller pool to the first process controller, and
• enabling at least one of i) making any of the first channels available to any of the process controllers in the controller pool, and ii) making any of the pooled channels available to the first process controller.