The disclosure relates to a method for determining a switching function for a sliding mode controller for controlling a controlled variable of a system, the switching function being selected as a function of a control deviation of the controlled variable and its time derivatives up to at least the second order and on the basis of initial control dynamics of the system, coefficients of the switching function being represented by means of poles of a closed control loop of the system, the poles each being selected as a function of the control deviation, and desired control dynamics of the system being set by shifting at least one first pole of the poles, and to such a sliding mode controller and to a use of such a controller.