NI LabVIEW Skills Guide

Identify the skills you need and find learning resources to help you successfully develop a LabVIEW application with your hardware. Need help with this guide? Have us call you.

Step 1: LabVIEW Software Skills
Step 2: Hardware Skills

Technician or Basic Developer

Develop or support/troubleshoot a small to medium application (<20 VIs)
Build a functional prototype or short-term use system
Support and maintain own applications or application will not be maintained
Plan to use LabVIEW for only one project
Spend less than 10 hours a week developing applications in LabVIEW

Sound Like You?

Software Engineer

Design and develop a medium to large application (20 to 100 VIs)
Develop one or more systems for ongoing use or deployment over multiple months or years
Develop any applications to be used, supported, or maintained by others
Plan to use LabVIEW for multiple projects
Use LabVIEW regularly

Sound Like You?

Required Skills	Online Product Documentation Free written documentation available 24/7 on ni.com	Online Training Online video training available 24/7; receive with active software service contract or purchase individually	Classroom Training Live classes taught virtually or in a classroom by certified instructors; provides exercises and hands-on hardware experience; available for purchase
Install LabVIEW	LabVIEW Installation Guide
Navigate the LabVIEW environment	Getting Started With LabVIEW	LabVIEW Core 1	LabVIEW Core 1
Apply key LabVIEW structures (such as Case structures and loops) and data types (such as Booleans, strings, and numerics)
Apply key LabVIEW elements for relating data (such as arrays, clusters, and typedefs)
Read and interpret existing LabVIEW code
Troubleshoot and debug LabVIEW code
Understand and select appropriate application timing techniques	Controlling Timing in LabVIEW Applications
Apply basic design patterns and LabVIEW templates such as the Simple State Machine template	Simple State Machine Template	LabVIEW Core 2	LabVIEW Core 2
Use event programming to handle user interface interaction or communicate data between processes	Event-Driven Programming
Programmatically control user interface objects	Programmatically Controlling VIs
Evaluate and use file I/O formats for data analysis and storage	File I/O
Optimize reuse of existing code for your projects	LabVIEW Style Checklist
Create executables and installers to distribute your application	Building and Distributing Applications
Identify an appropriate software-development process for the project	Development Life Cycle Models	LabVIEW Core 3	LabVIEW Core 3
Understand and design to requirements	Software Engineering With LabVIEW
Derive a task list and high-level flowchart to guide design and development
Organize a software project using the LabVIEW Project Explorer Window
Develop a user interface that meets user requirements and LabVIEW style guidelines
Handle and log errors globally or locally during code execution
Design, implement, document, and test code modules for each task
Integrate code modules into the application architecture
Design, implement, document, and test an intermediate-level LabVIEW architecture such as a Queued Message Handler	Queued Message Handler Template

Want to validate this level of skill? Consider becoming a Certified LabVIEW Developer

Software Architect

Determine and design the architecture or act as technical lead or project manager for a large application (100+ VIs)
Design a "mission critical" application: incorrect execution may result in safety risk or significant loss
Develop any applications to be used, supported, or maintained by others
Plan to use LabVIEW for multiple projects
Either you or the team you lead is using LabVIEW regularly

Sound Like You?

Required Skills	Online Product Documentation Free written documentation available 24/7 on ni.com	Online Training Online video training available 24/7; receive with active software service contract or purchase individually	Classroom Training Live classes taught virtually or in a classroom by certified instructors; provides exercises and hands-on hardware experience; available for purchase
Install LabVIEW	LabVIEW Installation Guide
Navigate the LabVIEW environment	Getting Started With LabVIEW	LabVIEW Core 1	LabVIEW Core 1
Apply key LabVIEW structures (such as Case structures and loops) and data types (such as Booleans, strings, and numerics)
Apply key LabVIEW elements for relating data (such as arrays, clusters, and typedefs)
Read and interpret existing LabVIEW code
Troubleshoot and debug LabVIEW code
Understand and select appropriate application timing techniques	Controlling Timing in LabVIEW Applications
Apply basic design patterns and LabVIEW templates such as the Simple State Machine template	Simple State Machine Template	LabVIEW Core 2	LabVIEW Core 2
Use event programming to handle user interface interaction or communicate data between processes	Event-Driven Programming
Programmatically control user interface objects	Programmatically Controlling VIs
Evaluate and use file I/O formats for data analysis and storage	File I/O
Optimize reuse of existing code for your projects	LabVIEW Style Checklist
Create executables and installers to distribute your application	Building and Distributing Applications
Identify an appropriate software-development process for the project	Development Life Cycle Models	LabVIEW Core 3	LabVIEW Core 3
Understand and design to requirements	Software Engineering With LabVIEW
Derive a task list and high-level flowchart to guide design and development
Organize a software project using the LabVIEW Project Explorer Window
Develop a user interface that meets user requirements and LabVIEW style guidelines
Handle and log errors globally or locally during code execution
Design, implement, document, and test code modules for each task
Integrate code modules into the application architecture
Design, implement, document, and test an intermediate-level LabVIEW architecture such as a Queued Message Handler	Queued Message Handler Template
Determine appropriateness of an object-oriented approach for your application	LabVIEW Object-Oriented Programming FAQ	Object-Oriented Design and Programming in LabVIEW	Object-Oriented Design and Programming in LabVIEW
Design an application using object-oriented design principles	Introduction to OOP and Hardware Abstraction Layers
Implement a basic class hierarchy using LabVIEW classes	Introduction to OOP and Hardware Abstraction Layers
Use LabVIEW features that provide additional functionality to LabVIEW classes	LabVIEW Object-Oriented Programming
Implement an application using common object-oriented design patterns
Modify an existing LabVIEW application to replace common patterns with LabVIEW objects
Optimize code and resources to effectively reduce development time and costs	Software Engineering With LabVIEW		Managing Software Engineering in LabVIEW
Adapt the software engineering process to your projects
Select and leverage appropriate tools and techniques for managing development
Conduct an effective LabVIEW code review
Understand tools and advanced techniques for testing and validating applications
Refine a requirements document and develop an architecture for an application based on LabVIEW		Advanced Architectures for LabVIEW	Advanced Architectures for LabVIEW
Understand and apply the elements of a good architecture
Understand architecture design trade-offs and select an appropriate design pattern for your application
Design a clean API
Analyze, critique, and improve the architecture of a LabVIEW application
Understand and apply advanced design patterns and LabVIEW templates such as the Actor Framework template	Actor Framework Template

Want to validate this level of skill? Consider becoming a Certified LabVIEW Architect

Choose the hardware platform you are using with LabVIEW. Then identify the category that best describes how your application will use that hardware. Expand your chosen category to view the skills you need and resources to help you get there.

Data Acquisition

Multifunction DAQ and NI CompactDAQ
Instrument Control

GPIB, Serial, USB, and Ethernet
Embedded Control and Monitoring

NI CompactRIO and NI Single-Board RIO
Automated Test

PXI and Modular Instruments Hardware, NI TestStand and NI VeriStand Software

Perform Basic Measurements

Work on one device
Reuse or modify applications
Acquire, display, and log a measurement
Generate waveforms or toggle digital lines

Sound Like You?

Required Skills	Online Product Documentation Free written documentation available 24/7 on ni.com	Classroom Training Live classes taught virtually or in a classroom by certified instructors; provides exercises and hands-on hardware experience; available for purchase
Evaluate and select the right form factor for your application	How to Choose the Right Bus for Your Measurement System	Data Acquisition and Signal Conditioning
Install hardware and software and connect your signals properly	Getting Started With NI Products
Apply the appropriate signal conditioning for your signals	What Is Signal Conditioning? Tutorial
Measure and analyze signals with the DAQ Assistant	Getting Started With NI-DAQmx: Basic Programming With NI-DAQmx Tutorial Series
Use and modify NI-DAQmx shipping examples such as Continuous Voltage.vi
Select the appropriate resolution and sampling rate for your signals

Develop DAQ Systems

Work on one device or one chassis with multiple modules
Develop a custom application
Build a system with multiple measurement types
Trigger or synchronize measurement tasks on a device or across modules

Sound Like You?

Required Skills	Online Product Documentation Free written documentation available 24/7 on ni.com	Classroom Training Live classes taught virtually or in a classroom by certified instructors; provides exercises and hands-on hardware experience; available for purchase
Evaluate and select the right form factor for your application	How to Choose the Right Bus for Your Measurement System	Data Acquisition and Signal Conditioning
Install hardware and software and connect your signals properly	Getting Started With NI Products
Apply the appropriate signal conditioning for your signals	What Is Signal Conditioning? Tutorial
Measure and analyze signals with the DAQ Assistant	Getting Started With NI-DAQmx: Basic Programming With NI-DAQmx Tutorial Series
Use and modify NI-DAQmx shipping examples such as Continuous Voltage.vi
Select the appropriate resolution and sampling rate for your signals
Build your own application using the NI-DAQmx API functions	Getting Started With NI-DAQmx: Basic Programming With NI-DAQmx Tutorial Series
Save device configurations with virtual channels and tasks
Apply custom scales to your measurements
Trigger your measurement task with external signals
Share clocks to synchronize tasks on one device or between modules in the same chassis
Calculate the absolute accuracy of your DAQ device	Device Product Manual: Search for Your Device
Understand and avoid ground loops	Field Wiring and Noise Considerations Tutorial
Design, implement, document, and test an intermediate-level data acquisition application such as an event-based continuous measurement	Continuous Measurement Template

Architect Complex DAQ Systems

Multiple chassis, multiple modules
Integrate DAQ as a component in large applications
Measure hundreds of channels or stream large quantities of data to disk
Synchronize across multiple chassis or over long distances

Sound Like You?

Required Skills	Online Product Documentation Free written documentation available 24/7 on ni.com	Classroom Training Live classes taught virtually or in a classroom by certified instructors; provides exercises and hands-on hardware experience; available for purchase
Evaluate and select the right form factor for your application	How to Choose the Right Bus for Your Measurement System	Data Acquisition and Signal Conditioning
Install hardware and software and connect your signals properly	Getting Started With NI Products
Apply the appropriate signal conditioning for your signals	What Is Signal Conditioning? Tutorial
Measure and analyze signals with the DAQ Assistant	Getting Started with NI-DAQmx: Basic Programming with NI-DAQmx Tutorial Series
Use and modify NI-DAQmx shipping examples such as Continuous Voltage.vi
Select the appropriate resolution and sampling rate for your signals
Build your own application using the NI-DAQmx API functions	Getting Started with NI-DAQmx: Basic Programming with NI-DAQmx Tutorial Series
Save device configurations with virtual channels and tasks
Apply custom scales to your measurements
Trigger your measurement task with external signals
Share clocks to synchronize tasks on one device or between modules in the same chassis
Calculate the absolute accuracy of your DAQ device	Device Product Manual: Search for Your Device
Understand and avoid ground loops	Field Wiring and Noise Considerations Tutorial
Programmatically control device settings with NI-DAQmx property nodes	Getting Started with NI-DAQmx: Advanced Programming with NI-DAQmx Tutorial Series
Share timebases to synchronize tasks between multiple chassis
Perform hardware-timed single point acquisition or generation
Use NI-DAQmx Events to drive program execution with changes in device state
Monitor digital ports without polling with digital change detection
Design, implement, document, and test an intermediate-level data acquisition application such as an event-based continuous measurement	Continuous Measurement Template
Use the NI System Configuration API for programmatic device management	NI System Configuration API Help
Control device configuration with the task state model functions	NI-DAQmx Help: Task State Model
Use advanced timing and synchronization techniques, such as GPS synchronization, to synchronize over long distances	GPS Synchronization Architecture for Data Acquisition Devices

Technician or Tester

Use an existing or previously developed system
Support, maintain, or troubleshoot instruments connected to a system

Sound Like You?

Required Skills	Online Product Documentation Free written documentation available 24/7 on ni.com	Classroom Training Live classes taught virtually or in a classroom by certified instructors; provides exercises and hands-on hardware experience; available for purchase
Test the system with Measurement and Automation Explorer (MAX) and interactive I/O	Getting Started With Instrument Control Tutorial Series	LabVIEW Core 1
Troubleshoot the hardware and cables in the system
Use NI I/O Trace and other utilities to troubleshoot the application

System Developer

Develop a system with a single instrument
Perform basic control, data logging, or reporting

Sound Like You?

Required Skills	Online Product Documentation Free written documentation available 24/7 on ni.com	Classroom Training Live classes taught virtually or in a classroom by certified instructors; provides exercises and hands-on hardware experience; available for purchase
Test the system with Measurement and Automation Explorer (MAX) and interactive I/O	Getting Started With Instrument Control Tutorial Series	LabVIEW Core 1
Troubleshoot the hardware and cables in the system
Use NI I/O Trace and other utilities to troubleshoot the application
Evaluate and select the right bus for your application	Choosing the Right Hardware Bus for Your Instrument Control System	LabVIEW Instrument Control
Use instrument control hardware and bus technologies	Instrument Control Fundamentals: Hardware and Bus Technologies
Communicate with your instrument using direct I/O	Instrument Control Fundamentals: Instrument Control Software Tutorial Series
Design, implement, document, and test a software application to automate your instrument system in LabVIEW
Program your instrument with NI-VISA
Select and use the right instrument driver to communicate with your instrument

System Architect

Develop a system with multiple instruments
Develop a system with interchangable instruments
Develop an instrument driver for an instrument or a family of instruments
Abstract the software application from the instrument communication level
for easy instrument replacement

Sound Like You?

Required Skills	Online Product Documentation Free written documentation available 24/7 on ni.com	Classroom Training Live classes taught virtually or in a classroom by certified instructors; provides exercises and hands-on hardware experience; available for purchase
Test the system with Measurement and Automation Explorer (MAX) and interactive I/O	Getting Started With Instrument Control Tutorial Series	LabVIEW Core 1
Troubleshoot the hardware and cables in the system
Use NI I/O Trace and other utilities to troubleshoot the application
Evaluate and select the right bus for your application	Choosing the Right Hardware Bus for Your Instrument Control System	LabVIEW Instrument Control
Use instrument control hardware and bus technologies	Instrument Control Fundamentals: Hardware and Bus Technologies
Communicate with your instrument using direct I/O	Instrument Control Fundamentals: Instrument Control Software Tutorial Series
Design, implement, document, and test a software application to automate your instrument system in LabVIEW
Program your instrument with NI-VISA
Select and use the right instrument driver to communicate with your instrument
Design, develop, test, and deploy a new instrument driver for a single instrument or a family of instruments	Instrument Driver Development Tools and Resources
Modify an existing instrument driver for a single instrument or a series of instruments	Modifying an Existing Instrument Driver
Synchronize distributed systems with the IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol and other synchronization technologies	Instrument Control System Architectures Resource Kit
Integrate both stand-alone and modular instrumentation platforms into one system (PXI, PXI Express, CompactRIO, VXI, LAN/LXI)
Design and develop a hardware abstraction layer (HAL) for easy instrument replacement	Mitigating Obsolescence With Hardware Abstraction Layers (HALs) Webcast

Basic Performance (Real-Time Only) Prototype

Build a functional prototype or short-term use system
Sample or update all I/O channels at <500 Hz and use software-based control

Sound Like You?

Basic Performance (Real-Time Only) Deployment

Develop one or more systems to be used on an ongoing basis over multiple months or years
Sample or update all I/O channels at <500 Hz and use software-based control or safety logic

Sound Like You?

High-Performance (FPGA) Prototype

Build a functional prototype or short-term use system
Sample or update one or more I/O channels at >500 Hz and/or dedicate hardware circuitry for control or safety logic

Sound Like You?

High-Performance (FPGA) Deployment

Develop one or more systems to be used on an ongoing basis over multiple months or years
Sample or update one or more I/O channels at >500 Hz and/or dedicate hardware circuitry to control or safety logic

Sound Like You?

Required Skills		Online Product Documentation Free written documentation available 24/7 on ni.com	Online Training Online video training available 24/7; receive with active software service contract or purchase individually	Classroom Training Live classes taught online or in a classroom by certified instructors; provides exercises and hands-on hardware experience; available for purchase
Setup	Install and configure CompactRIO hardware and LabVIEW software	Getting Started With NI Products
Implement Windows Host Application	Design a responsive host application using the event structure	LabVIEW for CompactRIO Developer's Guide, Sections 1, 2, and 5	LabVIEW Core 2	LabVIEW Core 2
Implement Windows Host Application	Implement network communication between Windows host and real-time application		LabVIEW Real-Time 1	Embedded Control and Monitoring Using LabVIEW
Design, Implement, Optimize, and Deploy Real-Time Application	Understand when to use Timed Loops and priorities when implementing your processes
	Implement communication between processes
	Deploy an application to your real-time target
	Create an architecture that leverages design patterns such as the state machine		LabVIEW Real-Time 2	Embedded Control and Monitoring Using LabVIEW
	Identify performance, reliability, and communication requirements for your system
	Optimize your code to meet those requirements
	Design for reliability: Build in system health monitoring and comprehensive error handling
	Replicate your embedded system
Implement and Deploy FPGA Application	Design applications similar to the LabVIEW FPGA Control on CompactRIO or LabVIEW FPGA Waveform Acquisition and Logging on CompactRIO sample projects in LabVIEW	CompactRIO Sample Projects	LabVIEW FPGA	Embedded Control and Monitoring Using LabVIEW
	Compile and deploy an FPGA application to a hardware target	LabVIEW for CompactRIO Developer's Guide, Sections 3-6
	Use an FPGA to acquire and output analog and digital signals
	Understand and control the timing of operations on the FPGA target
	Communicate data to and from the FPGA and real-time operating system
	Optimize throughput, latency, and/or FPGA resources	NI LabVIEW High-Performance FPGA Developer's Guide
Want to validate this level of skill? Consider becoming a Certified LabVIEW Embedded Systems Developer

Technician

Diagnose anomalies experienced during execution of a test
Provide feedback on the interaction between test code and the overall framework

Sound Like You?

Test Developer

Develop test programs to test the DUTs
Define what components of the DUT need to be tested to meet specifications
Incorporate your test code into the overall framework used by all test stations
Develop hardware connections between the DUT and the test station
Documenting and tracking the test requirements for the test code

Sound Like You?

Required Skills	Online Product Documentation	Online Training	Classroom Training
Understand the specifications of the DUT (device under test).	Practical Guides for Building a Test System: Identifying the Hardware Platform for Measurement Needs
Develop test code modules to test individual aspects or components of a DUT.	NI LabVIEW Skills Guide	LabVIEW Core 1 & 2	LabVIEW Core 1 & 2
Introduction to OOP and Hardware Abstraction Layers		Object Oriented Design and Programming in LabVIEW
		Managing Software Engineering in LabVIEW
NI LabWindows/CVI		LabWindows/CVI Core 1 & 2
		Data Acquisition & Signal Conditioning
		Instrument Control
		Modular Instruments: DMM
Practical Guides: Selecting the Right Development Environment		Modular Instruments: Switches
Measurement Fundamentals Series		Modular Instruments: HSDIO
		RF Fundamentals
		RF Application Development
Incorporate test code modules into a [test framework, test management software, test executive].	Best Practices for Code Module Development	TestStand 1: Test Development	TestStand 1: Test Development
Webcast: Creating a NI TestStand Sequence Using .NET Assembly

Use test management software to develop, execute, and debug an automated test system.	Practical Guide: Evaluating Test Management Software
Using LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI with TestStand
NI TestStand Advanced Architecture Series
Manage, package, and deploy test software	Practical Guides for Building a Test System: Assembling and Deploying the Test System
NI TestStand Help: Deploying TestStand Systems
Want to validate this level of skill? Consider becoming a Certified TestStand Developer

Test Software Architect

Define and create the software framework for the test organization
Develop or help choose a Test Executive program
Develop or select data management and user management systems
Develop a robust basic UI for the tests that will be conducted
Understand the current and future testing needs of your production floor

Sound Like You?

Required Skills	Online Product Documentation	Online Training	Classroom Training
Choose or develop a test executive program.	Practical Guide: Evaluating Test Management Software	TestStand 1: Test Development	TestStand 1: Test Development
Test Executive Software - Build or Buy? A Financial Comparison Using NI TestStand
NI TestStand: Getting Started with TestStand
Develop customized user interfaces for various users (operators, test developers, etc) of the test system.	Webcast: User Interfaces with NI TestStand		TestStand 2: Framework Development
10 Tips and Tricks for Building Effective User Interfaces in LabVIEW
Understanding the TestStand Simple User Interface
Best Practices for NI TestStand User Interface Development
Define and create the software framework for the test organization.	NI TestStand Advanced Architecture Series
Use best practices when designing test software	NI TestStand Advanced Architecture Series
Practical Guide: Evaluating Test Management Software
Want to validate this level of skill? Consider becoming a Certified TestStand Architect

Test System Designer

Define all of the test station hardware and software elements
Design the test station rack, power distribution, switching, mass interconnect system, and test fixture
Develop deployment and maintenance strategy for the test station

Required Skills	Online Product Documentation	Online Training	Classroom Training
Identify measurement requirements for the test stations	Practical Guide: Identifying the Hardware Platform for Measurement Needs
Determine requirements to integrate HW into test station	Practical Guide: Choosing Rack Type, Rack Size, and a Power Distribution Unit
Determine requirements to integrate HW into test station	Practical Guide: Considering Switching, Mass Interconnect, and Fixturing
Develop the deployment and maintenance strategy for the test stations.	Practical Guide: Assembling and Deploying the Test System
	Best Practices for Building and Maintaining PXI Systems
	Webcast: Exploring Effective Calibration and Sparing Strategies

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NI LabVIEW Skills Guide

Technician or Basic Developer

Sound Like You?

Software Engineer

Sound Like You?

Software Architect

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Data Acquisition

Instrument Control

Embedded Control and Monitoring

Automated Test

Perform Basic Measurements

Sound Like You?

Develop DAQ Systems

Sound Like You?

Architect Complex DAQ Systems

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Technician or Tester

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System Developer

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System Architect

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Basic Performance (Real-Time Only) Prototype

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Basic Performance (Real-Time Only) Deployment

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High-Performance (FPGA) Prototype

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High-Performance (FPGA) Deployment

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Technician

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Test Developer

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Test Software Architect

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Test System Designer

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