The invention relates to a method for the simplified modification of application programs (2, 3) of an industrial plant (1), comprising the following steps: (a) providing at least one application program (2, 3) in an industrial plant (1), wherein the at least one application program (23) has a plurality of program points (P1 to P5); (b) providing at least one graphical representation (101 to 103), wherein the at least one graphical representation (101 to 103) shows at least one system state of the industrial plant (1), wherein the system state corresponds to a program point (P1 to P5) and the graphical representation (101 to 103) is linked to at least one program point (P1 to P5) of the at least one application program (2, 3); (c) executing the application program (2, 3) and, if the application program stops, performing the fo11owing steps: (d) comparing the current system state of the industrial plant (1
