A system and method for a monitor process is disclosed. The monitor process manages, directs, and retains a record of the output from software applications and the tasks associated with such output. The monitor process does so by determining which notification messages output by the software applications do not match notification messages stored within a system monitor's message database. The monitor process then analyzes the non-matching notification messages using a rule set to determine an appropriate severity and contact list for each message. The monitor process then relays the non-matching notification messages to members of the contact list along with the message's appropriate severity. The monitor process may also be used to assist and encourage members of the contact list to update the system monitor's message database with the non-matching notification messages.