Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for monitoring and raising alerts in data processing jobs. The alert and monitoring system uses a monitor request table stored in a relational database as a central repository in which data process jobs insert monitoring requests. The monitoring requests specify the time at which alerts or monitoring notices should be taken, and if the data processing job fails to submit an updated monitor request, the action described in the monitor request is taken. Provision is made for customized actions to be taken via a action alert table, which stores additional data allowing conditional and logical invocation of actions.