A projection of a Markov process onto the dynamics of its metastable states is performed by means of conveniently defined site localizing functions. The method is illustrated by a simple model with time dependent transition rates. In this particular case an alternative method is available. The results of both methods are compared and found to agree with each other.

PACS numbers: 02.50.Ga, 82.20.Uv, 82.37.--j, 82.39.Rt