In a method for operating controlled machines, a motion of at least one movable machine element of the machine is controlled using a motion profile specific to that motion, and this motion profile of the motion of the machine element is subdivided into a plurality of profile segments. Each of the profile segments is assigned at least one motion condition which influences this profile segment, and each motion condition includes at least one tripping event and at least one action event associated with this tripping event and tripped by the tripping event, and the action event influences the applicable profile segment.