Abstract: The invention relates to a method, to a computer program product and to a computer-readable storage medium for the generic creation of a tree structure for describing an IT method, comprising a complete environment composed of clients, servers, middleware components, applications and network components which an end user requires for carrying out a specific IT-supported business process. The invention is based on the generic creation of a tree structure for describing the topology of an IT method, by which tree structure it is possible to collect and manage all the data necessary for the overall handling of an IT method in a defined structure, such that all the procedures relevant for managing an IT method come from one data source and can be automated. The freedom from loops and the unambiguity of the elements result in a structuring of the data contained in the IT method, whereby automated processing is facilitated.