A method of monitoring a machining process in which tooth flanks of pre-toothed workpieces are machined with a finishing machine, the finishing machine having a tool spindle for driving a finishing tool to rotate about a tool axis and at least one workpiece spindle for driving a pre-toothed workpiece to rotation, the method comprising: detecting a plurality of measurement values while the finishing tool is in machining engagement with a workpiece, the detected measurement values comprising values of a power indicator which indicates a momentary power consumption of the tool spindle, characterized in that the method comprises applying a normalization operation to the values of the power indicator or to values of a quantity derived therefrom to obtain normalized values, wherein the normalization operation depends on at least one process parameter, wherein the at least one process parameter is selected from geometric parameters of the finishing tool, geometric parameters of the workpiece and setting parameters of the finishing machine, and wherein the normalization operation is based on a model which describes an expected dependence of the values of the power indicator on the process parameters, wherein the model describes the dependence of the process power on the process parameters and is based on a force model which describes an expected dependence of the cutting force acting at the point of contact between the finishing tool and the workpiece, on geometric parameters of the finishing tool, geometric parameters of the workpiece and setting parameters of the finishing machine; recalculating the normalization operation for the process parameters when at least one of the process parameters changes, wherein the recalculation of the normalization operation comprises applying the model; and wherein the method further comprises: a) analyzing the normalized values in real time to determine impermissible process deviations, wherein the normalization operation is performed in real time while the finishing tool is in machining engagement with the workpiece; and/or b) calculating characteristic parameters of the machining process from the measurement values or values derived therefrom, wherein at least one of the characteristic parameters correlates with a predefined machining error of the workpiece. detecting a plurality of measurement values while the finishing tool is in machining engagement with a workpiece, the detected measurement values comprising values of a power indicator which indicates a momentary power consumption of the tool spindle, characterized in that the method comprises applying a normalization operation to the values of the power indicator or to values of a quantity derived therefrom to obtain normalized values, wherein the normalization operation depends on at least one process parameter, wherein the at least one process parameter is selected from geometric parameters of the finishing tool, geometric parameters of the workpiece and setting parameters of the finishing machine, and wherein the normalization operation is based on a model which describes an expected dependence of the values of the power indicator on the process parameters, wherein the model describes the dependence of the process power on the process parameters and is based on a force model which describes an expected dependence of the cutting force acting at the point of contact between the finishing tool and the workpiece, on geometric parameters of the finishing tool, geometric parameters of the workpiece and setting parameters of the finishing machine; recalculating the normalization operation for the process parameters when at least one of the process parameters changes, wherein the recalculation of the normalization operation comprises applying the model; and wherein the method further comprises: a) analyzing the normalized values in real time to determine impermissible process deviations, wherein the normalization operation is performed in real time while the finishing tool is in machining engagement with the workpiece; and/or b) calculating characteristic parameters of the machining process from the measurement values or values derived therefrom, wherein at least one of the characteristic parameters correlates with a predefined machining error of the workpiece. a) analyzing the normalized values in real time to determine impermissible process deviations, wherein the normalization operation is performed in real time while the finishing tool is in machining engagement with the workpiece; and/or b) calculating characteristic parameters of the machining process from the measurement values or values derived therefrom, wherein at least one of the characteristic parameters correlates with a predefined machining error of the workpiece.