A method for generating a heartbeat (32, 36, 38) of a process characterized by a process parameter (70, 72) and including a process cycle performed by at least one machine, the process cycle including a plurality of timed events performed in a process sequence by the at least one machine, the method comprising: performing a process cycle of a process; wherein the process cycle is performed by at least one machine in a system; receiving, via a server in communication with the at least one machine, event duration data from the at least one machine; receiving, via the server in communication with a sensor (28, 34), a parameter signal outputted from the sensor (28, 34); wherein the sensor (28, 34) is configured to sense a process parameter (70, 72) during performance of the process cycle by the machine, such that the parameter signal indicates a value of the process parameter (70, 72) in real time with the performing of the process cycle; wherein the server is programmed to: determine, using the event duration data, a duration of each of a plurality of timed events performed in a process sequence during the process cycle; order the durations of the plurality of timed events in the process sequence; generate a heartbeat (32, 36, 38) for the process cycle, wherein the heartbeat (32, 36, 38) is defined by the ordered durations; determine, using the parameter signal, the value of the process parameter (70, 72); and associate, in real time, the value of the process parameter (70, 72) with the heartbeat (32, 36, 38); the method further comprising: generating, via the server, the heartbeat (32, 36, 38) defined by the ordered durations; determining, via the server and using the parameter signal, the value of the process parameter (70, 72); and associating, via the server in real time, the process parameter (70, 72) with the heartbeat (32, 36, 38). performing a process cycle of a process; wherein the process cycle is performed by at least one machine in a system; receiving, via a server in communication with the at least one machine, event duration data from the at least one machine; receiving, via the server in communication with a sensor (28, 34), a parameter signal outputted from the sensor (28, 34); wherein the sensor (28, 34) is configured to sense a process parameter (70, 72) during performance of the process cycle by the machine, such that the parameter signal indicates a value of the process parameter (70, 72) in real time with the performing of the process cycle; wherein the server is programmed to: determine, using the event duration data, a duration of each of a plurality of timed events performed in a process sequence during the process cycle; order the durations of the plurality of timed events in the process sequence; generate a heartbeat (32, 36, 38) for the process cycle, wherein the heartbeat (32, 36, 38) is defined by the ordered durations; determine, using the parameter signal, the value of the process parameter (70, 72); and associate, in real time, the value of the process parameter (70, 72) with the heartbeat (32, 36, 38); determine, using the event duration data, a duration of each of a plurality of timed events performed in a process sequence during the process cycle; order the durations of the plurality of timed events in the process sequence; generate a heartbeat (32, 36, 38) for the process cycle, wherein the heartbeat (32, 36, 38) is defined by the ordered durations; determine, using the parameter signal, the value of the process parameter (70, 72); and associate, in real time, the value of the process parameter (70, 72) with the heartbeat (32, 36, 38); the method further comprising: generating, via the server, the heartbeat (32, 36, 38) defined by the ordered durations; determining, via the server and using the parameter signal, the value of the process parameter (70, 72); and associating, via the server in real time, the process parameter (70, 72) with the heartbeat (32, 36, 38). generating, via the server, the heartbeat (32, 36, 38) defined by the ordered durations; determining, via the server and using the parameter signal, the value of the process parameter (70, 72); and associating, via the server in real time, the process parameter (70, 72) with the heartbeat (32, 36, 38).