Abstract: A method for the monitoring and control of the operating conditions of a fiber web machine or paper finishing machine, where the monitoring and control are performed on a rotatable machine element (41) equipped with a sensor assembly (24) that measures temperature, and generates a measurement signal (25), and a cross-directional temperature profile (21) of the machine element is generated from the measurement signal. One or more reference profiles (35) are generated for the cross-directional temperature profile of the machine element. The cross-directional temperature profile of the machine element generated from the measurement signal and at least one reference profile generated for it are compared to find a change concerning the operating conditions of the fiber web machine or paper finishing machine, and actions are performed on the basis of said change. The invention also relates to a corresponding system, a rotating machine element and a computer program product.