A method for configuring a distribution network of a commodity, wherein the determination of a setting of each inflow regulating element (according to at least one optimization criterion) is repeated for different versions of a working subset (defined by one or more of the parts having no outflow regulating element whose setting is still to be determined) until the settings of all the regulating elements have been determined. A further aspect provides a software program and a software program product for implementing the method. A further aspect provides a corresponding system.