A method for operating a parallel hybrid powertrain (1) of a motor vehicle with multiple drive units (2, 3) and with a single output side (5) is described. At least one internal combustion engine (2) and one electric motor (3) are provided and the at least one electric motor (3) is arranged in the powertrain between the output (5) and the at least one internal combustion engine (2). A first friction-locking shifting element (7) is provided between the internal combustion engine (2) and the electric motor (3), while a coupling element (8A) with rotational speed dependent recognition and at least one second friction-locking shifting element (30) are arranged between the electric motor (3) and the output side (5). A target output torque to be applied at the output (5) is a function of the power transmission capacity of the second shifting element (30). The power transmission capacity of the second shifting element (30) is controlled as a function of the required target output torque (m_fahr_soll) so that the second shifting element (30) has the power transmission capacity required for achieving the target output torque (m_fahr_soll) at the output (5). A target slip specification (s—30_soll) of the second shifting element (30) is controlled at least as a function of the target-drive torque by means of the target drive torque (m—2_soll, m—3_soll) to be produced and are converted with a closed loop control as a function of a further operating state parameter of the parallel hybrid powertrain by the drive units (2, 3).