Method for monitoring a measurement point in a process automation system

A method for monitoring an automated plant, wherein the plant comprises a plurality of field devices and a plurality of other plant components, wherein the field devices are configured to generate data, including measurement, control, calibration, parametering, diagnosis, historical and/or state data, and wherein the field devices are configured to communicate with one another and with at least one superordinated unit via a communication network, the method comprising:

• continuously registering production data from the plant, wherein the production data includes quantities of produced products versus defined time intervals;
• calculating individual loading data for each of the field devices and each of the other plant components, wherein the loading data represents a degree of loading for each field device and each other plant component per produced product;
• continuously summing the degree of loading for each field device and each other plant component based on the registered production data and based on the loading data;
• and
• generating a warning notification when the degree of loading of a field device of the plurality of field devices or a plant component of the plurality of other plant components exceeds a threshold individually defined for each respective field device or other plant component.