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