In this paper, a novel engineering oriented control system design method for multivariable processes is presented. By employing the concepts of energy transmission ratio and effective relative gain, an equivalent transfer function matrix for closed loop control system can be obtained. Based on the equivalent transfer function matrix, both off diagonal decoupling controllers and main loop diagonal controllers can be easily designed using the existing PI/PID tuning rules. The main advantages of the method are that: (1) the overall control system performance is better compared with the existing decoupling control methods; (2) it is very simple which can be easily understood and implemented by field control engineers; and (3) the control system is robust, it can still work with satisfactory performance even under significant model mismatches. Several multivariable industrial processes with different interaction characteristics are employed to demonstrate the simplicity and effectiveness of the design method. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.