Method for monitoring performance test stands having at least one load assembly

A method for monitoring performance test stands having at least one load assembly, which is coupled to a test subject, such as an internal combustion engine, vehicle drive, or drivetrain, comprises ascertaining multiple, possibly derived parameters which characterize the current state of the test stand and evaluating them automatically in regard to the stability of the operating state of the test stand. In order to allow reliable recognition of instabilities in performance test stands of greatly varying configurations in the typical control modes and the reliable online monitoring of the stability of the control circuits on performance test stands in real time with CPU use which conserves resources as much as possible, the standardized parameters are weighted and consolidated into a single index which is characteristic for the current state, and this index is provided for the display and/or as a control variable for the real-time test stand controller.