Various monitors of regional economic development exist. The Stuttgart monitor is an exceptional case: it reports sectoral and economic developments and was launched by a network comprised of local authorities, the Metalworkers' Federation, the Chamber of Commerce/Crafts and the Institute for Market-Oriented Management (Institut für Marktorientierte Unternehmensführung, IMU).

The annual report analyses sectoral and employment developments and gives suggestions for strategic planning. Monitoring activities are mainly based on administrative data, for example data provided by the Federal Statistical Office. Another monitoring activity on the economic, educational and social development of 11 metropolitan regions is published by the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development, together with the Initiative of Metropolitan Regions (IMK). Reports are published on the IMKs homepage.