A method for controlling the course of a signal flow-based computer program having interconnected software components and at least one DF loop. The following method steps are performed: a) identifying the at least one DF loop and the DF components, each DF component instantaneously imaging at least one DF input signal present at at least one component input onto at least one output signal present at at least one component output, b) determining the maximum possible change of the values of the DF input signals for each unit of time from at least one property of the respective DF input signal, c) activating a delay element in front of the component input where a DF input signal is present whose value has the smallest maximum possible change, and d) running the computer program in accordance with the connection of the software components ascertained in steps a) to c).