The ability to make real-time decisions is at the heart of safe and efficient operations in most complex process industries and especially in the oil, gas and petrochemical industry. Control room operators are often required to act within seconds, relying on live data to manage unplanned disruptions and ensure smooth and secure processes. But what makes real-time decision-making so crucial, and how can organizations equip operators for success?

Defining Real-Time in Operational Contexts

Real-time decision-making refers to time-sensitive actions taken within seconds or minutes, informed by live data streams. This stands apart from less urgent “real-time” processes that focus on analyzing live data offline, often as part of back-office tasks like maintenance planning.