A method for determining a set of stimulation parameters for an electrical stimulation lead or steering electrical stimulation includes receiving a target geometrical parameter describing a stimulation field； receiving a first programming state； determining a first stimulation parameter for the first programming state that achieves the target geometrical parameter within at least 10% of the target geometrical parameter； and outputting set of stimulation parameters to be received by an electrical stimulation device for delivery of electrical stimulation to a patient via an electrical stimulation lead, wherein the set of stimulation parameters comprises the first stimulation parameter and represents the first programming state. In other embodiments, the target geometrical parameter is determined from either i) a first set of stimulation parameters or ii) a starting programming state and starting first stimulation parameter.
