1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, in response to execution, cause a computing system comprising at least one processor to implement a development environment, wherein the development environment comprises: a development interface component configured to receive input that facilitates creation of a simulation of an industrial process within the development environment; a configuration retrieval component configured to identify I/O module configuration data defined in an industrial control program; a connection pool component configured to select a generic I/O module profile corresponding to an I/O module type specified by the I/O module configuration data and to create a set of I/O connection definitions based on the generic I/O module profile and the I/O module configuration data, wherein the connection pool component selects the generic I/O module profile from among two or more generic I/O module profiles that describe generic characteristics of corresponding I/O module types; an I/O kernel configured to exchange simulation data between the simulation and an I/O module instance defined on the industrial controller by the industrial control program based on the I/O connection definitions in accordance with a first timing defined by a simulation clock, wherein the industrial controller executes the modified industrial control program in accordance with a second timing defined by a controller clock to facilitate processing of input signals received from the simulation and controlling of output signals directed to the simulation system; and a synchronization component configured to dynamically designate which of the simulation clock or the controller clock is to serve as a master clock for exchange of the simulation data between the simulation and the I/O module instance.