Characteristic action situations (CASs) are used by ergonomists to transfer knowledge between different projects or work situations. We present how CASs supported the Participatory Design of standard interfaces for FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) control systems. In a qualitative enquiry framework, we present strategies of the design process to allow the return of experience and how it made use of the CAS. To build the CAS, we used a work analysis approach. The CAS revealed strategies, tools, and deficiencies related to monitoring the process and interacting simultaneously with multiple points of the plant, and supported the design team in addressing these features accordingly. In conclusion, the CASs allowed improvement of existing and future features of the system by providing a more enriched work representation.