A method and system for generating a heartbeat of a process including at least one machine configured to perform a process cycle consisting of timed events performed in a process sequence includes determining the duration of each timed event during performance of the process cycle, ordering the durations of the timed events in the process sequence, and generating a heartbeat defined by the ordered durations of a process cycle. One or more process parameters can be sensed and displayed with the heartbeat in real time. The variance of a current heartbeat to a baseline heartbeat and/or a comparison of a process parameter to a parameter limit can be analyzed to monitor and/or control the process or machine. The heartbeat, the process parameter corresponding to the heartbeat can be displayed on a user interface which can include a message corresponding to the heartbeat and/or the process parameter.