A method and system are disclosed for planning maintenance of an automation installation by monitoring a maintenance state of individual components of the installation, which are connected to one another via a communication network, using life cycle data. The method and system can read device-identifying data from the individual components via the communication network, locate identified components in a current component database containing an item of replacement part availability information, and evaluate replacement part availability information relating to the located components with regard to determining specified procurement actions within the current maintenance interval.