Abstract: A display organized with the various components of a complex process represented by the rows, and selected parameters to be monitored listed in columns. The fields of the display which represent a particular “vital sign” for a particular component present two types of information: (1) alarms which indicate whether the parameter is in or out of limits and how close it is to failure; and (2) trends which indicate changes and types of changes, but do not pose a threat to the system. The alarms, in most part, are represented by solid colors. The trends are shown by the interface line between two contrasting colors or shades of colors defining the trend line and showing the direction of the trend and type of change.