This paper proposes a methodology to automatically choose the measurement locations of a nonlinear structure/equipment that needs to be monitored while operating. The response of the computational model (or experimental data) is used to construct the proper orthogonal modes applying the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD), and the effective independence distribution vector (EIDV) procedure is employed to eliminate, iteratively, locations that contribute less for the independence of the target proper orthogonal modes.