This paper presents diagrams that allow the selection of the best control configuration of a distillation column from a knowledge of the thermodynamic parameters reflux ratio, reboil ratio and distillate-to-bottoms ratio. These novel diagrams are valid not only for binary but also for multicomponent distillation. For the distillation of ideal binary mixtures, the diagrams are modified in such a way that the best control configuration can be determined just from a knowledge of the relative volatility of the mixture, the composition of the feed and the specifications of the products.