An apparatus and corresponding methods for representing process alarms in a parent-child relationship includes an interface having an input and an output and a controller coupled to the interface. The controller is configured to access a hierarchal data structure through the interface. The data structure has at least one parent element and at least one child element, the elements representing at least one parameter in a control system. The controller is further configured to receive values of the parameter related to operation of the components at the interface and determine whether the received values indicate an alarm condition. If the received values do indicate an alarm condition, the controller is configured to access the data structure with the interface and identify an alarm element in the data structure that is associated with the alarm condition. The controller further determines, based on an examination of the alarm element, a cause of the alarm condition.
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