In a method for monitoring a control loop in a process plant, process gain
data associated with a control loop may be collected. The collected
process gain data may be used to determine an expected process gain
behavior. For example, expected values of a process variable for given
values of a load variable may be determined. As another example, expected
changes in a process variable for given changes in a load variable may be
determined. Then, during operation of the control loop, the process gain
may be monitored. If the monitored process gain substantially deviates
from the expected behavior, this may indicate an abnormal situation
associated with the control loop.