Towards holistic chromatic intelligent monitoring of complex systems

Purpose – To introduce chromatic methods and their application to monitoring complex systems.Design/methodology/approach – Complexity is introduced and the need for holistic monitoring is suggested. The chromatic methodologies are introduced and their broad‐ranging applicability is illustrated with reference to a number of diverse applications.Findings – The generic chromatic monitoring technology has much to offer as a way of visualising, understanding, monitoring and controlling complex processes and system behaviour.Practical implications – The technology is leading to new ways of characterising and evaluating aspects of system behaviour, in a holistic and non‐intrusive manner, that are difficult to measure – e.g. walking behaviour of the elderly, tiredness of drivers.Originality/value – Draws out the generic basis of the chromatic methodology and how it may be applied to a wide range of complex systems and situations to predict when and where human intervention is required.