Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for designing fan-out nets connecting a signal source and a plurality of net elements in an integrated circuit. In order to make fan-out nets more robust against opens while keeping the risk due to short circuits in an acceptable degree, the method comprises the steps of: a) implementing a routing section in a closed structure comprising a plurality of signal receiving pins, wherein said receiving pins connect to further net elements, b) implementing on said closed structure a plurality of buffer elements to provide multiple signals derived from said source signal for driving said plurality of net elements, and c) limiting the distance and number of receiving cells between two buffer elements below predetermined values in order to keep a short circuit current given in case of an open tolerably small and within a worst case skew time delay.