A method and a device are disclosed for managing and configuring field devices in an automation installation with a configuration tool which is designed to physically detect a field device in the automation installation, to logically incorporate the field device in the automation installation and to configure the field device in the automation installation, the configuration tool including a predefined first field-device-specific information packet which at least partially describes the functions and data of the field device. For repeated performance of actions for devices and displays which are already being used, a permanent device overview includes all devices which are already being used, and a temporary display overview includes all displays which are already being used for a device, the temporary display overview being displayed on an individual-device basis in each case when a device is selected from the permanent device overview.