A method, system and device for analyzing the performance of a fluid discharge device, pursuant to which a fluid discharge device is mounted in a fixture; a discharge monitoring device is located downstream from the fluid discharge device; flow of fluid that is passed at least partially into a fluid discharge device is monitored with the discharge monitoring device by at least one technique that is independent of pressure measurement, such as an optical detection technique; and the proper functioning of the fluid discharge device is ascertained based upon at least one measurement taken by the discharge monitoring device.