An electronic data processing (EDP)-based method and configurator are for creating a plant concept from a number of plant components. A desired specification of a technical plant is recorded using specification data. Then, from a stored supply of plant component types, those plant component types which are required for satisfying the desired specification of the technical plant are selected on the basis of the specification data using a classification device. The selected plant component types are linked up to form a plant configuration, using the classification device, in such a way that in principle the plant configuration at least substantially satisfies the desired specification of the technical plant. Finally, from the plant configuration, a plant concept is created using a selection device, the plant component types being replaced by plant components. The result is that the plant concept describes an actually feasible technical plant.