The invention presents a method and an apparatus for optimizing or monitoring or analyzing process sequences of an automated device, such that a visualization of the data sets is implemented by means of a display means 12a, b, c, with the use of at least one first and one second data set, in such a way that a visual cross-reference 15, 16 is created between data-set segments that are relevant to the process sequence. This allows the machine operator to recognize quickly those points in the process sequence where a need exists for intervention. Manufacturing costs can thereby be lowered, and product quality improved.