A method for starting up an automation machine in a machine series is described. With the method, a software package is automatically generated in a planning system with a step tree. The step tree included in the software package is structured in the form of a graph with edges and nodes, wherein at least some of the nodes comprise start-up data or start-up information relating to the start-up data, and wherein the edges describe permitted transitions between two respective nodes. The software package is executed on a machine or on a unit which is connected with the machine for communication. A planning system for carrying out the method is also disclosed.