A method of executing a plurality of batch processes within a process plant according to a product recipe, wherein the product recipe specifies a plurality of actions and a plurality of parameters, the method characterized by: receiving a first version of the product recipe; applying the first version of the product recipe to a first batch runner and a second batch runner, wherein each of the first batch runner and the second batch runner controls the execution of the product recipe using respective process control equipment; initiating a respective batch run consistent with the first version of the product recipe at each of the first batch runner and the second batch runner (388, 390); receiving a second version of the product recipe, wherein the second version of the product recipe differs from the first version of the product recipe in at least one of the plurality of actions or the plurality of parameters; suspending the execution of the batch run at the first batch runner; synchronizing the first batch runner to the second version of the recipe prior to the first runner completing the execution of the first version of the recipe; continuing execution of the second batch runner according to the first version of the recipe; resuming the execution of the batch run at the first batch runner according to the second version of the recipe; completing the execution of the batch run at the first batch runner according to the second version of the recipe; completing the execution of the batch run at the second batch runner according to the first version of the recipe; and receiving execution results from the first batch runner and the second batch runner, wherein the execution results from the first batch runner and the second batch runner are indicative of differences between execution of the batch run at the first batch runner according to the second version of the recipe and execution of the batch run at the second batch runner according to the first version of the recipe. receiving a first version of the product recipe; applying the first version of the product recipe to a first batch runner and a second batch runner, wherein each of the first batch runner and the second batch runner controls the execution of the product recipe using respective process control equipment; initiating a respective batch run consistent with the first version of the product recipe at each of the first batch runner and the second batch runner (388, 390); receiving a second version of the product recipe, wherein the second version of the product recipe differs from the first version of the product recipe in at least one of the plurality of actions or the plurality of parameters; suspending the execution of the batch run at the first batch runner; synchronizing the first batch runner to the second version of the recipe prior to the first runner completing the execution of the first version of the recipe; continuing execution of the second batch runner according to the first version of the recipe; resuming the execution of the batch run at the first batch runner according to the second version of the recipe; completing the execution of the batch run at the first batch runner according to the second version of the recipe; completing the execution of the batch run at the second batch runner according to the first version of the recipe; and receiving execution results from the first batch runner and the second batch runner, wherein the execution results from the first batch runner and the second batch runner are indicative of differences between execution of the batch run at the first batch runner according to the second version of the recipe and execution of the batch run at the second batch runner according to the first version of the recipe.