Digitalization of not only non-safety but also safety-grade I &C systems with full computerized Main Control Room (MCR) is the recent trend of I&C systems of nuclear power plants (NPP) around the world, while plant maintenance has been shifting from traditional time based maintenance to condition based maintenance. In order to cope with the new trend of operation and maintenance in NPP, a concept of online distributed diagnostic system for both plant operation and maintenance has been proposed in order to further improve both the plant efficiency and the work environment of plant operation staff members by organizational learning. In this respect, the research subjects of human machine interface (HMI) for the online distributed diagnostic system are also discussed for supporting the plant personnel at both MCR and local working places in the plant by the application of advanced ICT (Information and Communication Technologies).