A network element comprising a memory and at least one processor coupled to the memory , wherein the memory stores program code that configures the at least one processor to: detect , as a first event, at least one alarm condition; start , in response to detecting the first event, a first alarm clearance timer and an alarm grouping timer in addition to the alarm clearance timer; set the alarm grouping timer to an alarm grouping timer value corresponding to an estimated period of time in which alarm conditions resulting from a common root cause occur; detect , as a second event, at least one of expiry of the first alarm clearance timer and clearance of the at least one alarm condition; determine , after detecting the second event, a first performance indicator value of a performance indicator for a first period of time between the first event and the second event; detect, as a third event indicating that the alarm grouping timer is already running and has not yet expired, a further alarm condition while the alarm grouping timer and the first alarm clearance timer are running; wherein, in response to detecting the third event, at least one of the first alarm clearance timer is re-started always or when detecting a new alarm condition still belonging to the ongoing alarm condition grouping process and the alarm grouping timer is re-started always upon detection of a first alarm condition of a new alarm group or upon detecting a new alarm condition while the alarm grouping timer is running; and trigger reporting of: the at least one alarm condition; and at least one of the first performance indicator value and information derived from the first performance indicator value. detect , as a first event, at least one alarm condition; start , in response to detecting the first event, a first alarm clearance timer and an alarm grouping timer in addition to the alarm clearance timer; set the alarm grouping timer to an alarm grouping timer value corresponding to an estimated period of time in which alarm conditions resulting from a common root cause occur; detect , as a second event, at least one of expiry of the first alarm clearance timer and clearance of the at least one alarm condition; determine , after detecting the second event, a first performance indicator value of a performance indicator for a first period of time between the first event and the second event; detect, as a third event indicating that the alarm grouping timer is already running and has not yet expired, a further alarm condition while the alarm grouping timer and the first alarm clearance timer are running; wherein, in response to detecting the third event, at least one of the first alarm clearance timer is re-started always or when detecting a new alarm condition still belonging to the ongoing alarm condition grouping process and the alarm grouping timer is re-started always upon detection of a first alarm condition of a new alarm group or upon detecting a new alarm condition while the alarm grouping timer is running; and trigger reporting of: the at least one alarm condition; and at least one of the first performance indicator value and information derived from the first performance indicator value. the at least one alarm condition; and at least one of the first performance indicator value and information derived from the first performance indicator value. <EOS>