Automated skill matching is provided in industrial control. The interfaces (12, 17) and/or the production processes (13, 18) of the controller (16) and machine (11) are matched. The matching of the interfaces (12, 17) links parameters except for optional parameters to check for incompatibility. The matching of the production processes (13, 18) uses a cross-product of the process (13) of the machine (11) with the process (18) of the controller (16) to check for incompatibility. The skill checking guides manual confirmation of compatibility, reducing downtime and reducing engineering or programming time. The machine (11) is more likely to operate correctly with the controller (16) due to the automated skill matching.