A method can be used for programming a group of memory cells of a non-volatile memory device in a programming window that has a duration longer than a programming duration of a memory cell. The programming window is subdivided into a number of time intervals. A programming profile that was determined by simulation while taking into account a reference criterion is retrieved. The programming profile includes, for each time interval, a maximum number of memory cells that can be triggered for programming within each time interval. The memory device is programmed in the programming window, interval-wise, using the programming profile.