A computer-implemented method for operating a crane includes generating speed data for a drive unit of the crane such that oscillations of the crane are suppressed; providing a compatibility model configured to describe a relation between input speed reference data of a drive unit of a crane and output position reference data of the drive unit of the crane; determining position reference data of the drive unit of the crane by inputting the speed reference data into the compatibility model; and providing the position reference data of the drive unit of the crane to a control of the drive unit of the crane and controlling the drive unit of the crane according to the position reference data.