Operator console providing guidance for operator decisions

A non-transitory computer readable medium containing instructions that when executed cause at least one operator console comprising an operator computer system for an operator including at least one processor device coupled to a human machine interface (HMI) causes the operator computer system to implement a method comprising:

• determining a current situation to be present in a process controlled by an industrial process control and automation system (IPCS) that includes at least one process controller coupled to input output (I/O) modules coupled to field devices including sensors and actuators that are coupled to processing equipment;
• responsive to the current situation, displaying a plurality of suggested actions each including at least one step in a selectable panel of the HMI, wherein the operator computing system is coupled to the process controller,
• responsive to the operator selecting in the selectable panel at least one of the plurality of suggested actions (selected action),
• wherein the selecting of the selected action results in the IPCS automatically implementing at least in part the at least one step associated with the selected action.