In this paper, a methodology for estimating the model parameters of a discrete-time system and tuning a digital PID controller based on the estimated model and a genetic algorithm is presented. To deal with optimization problems regarding parameter estimation and controller tuning, pseudo-parallel genetic algorithms(PPGAs) are used. The parameters of a discrete-time system are estimated using both the model adjustment technique and a PPGA. The digital PID controller is described by the pulse transfer function and then its three gains are tuned based on both the model reference technique and another PPGA. A set of experimental works on two processes are carried out to illustrate the performance of the proposed method.