Element actions of actuators incorporated in an automated manufacturing machine are stored in a manner associated with program elements to perform the element actions. An action chart is used to describe an operation of the automated manufacturing machine, with one element action having an end linked to a start of another element action using a logical operation. The action chart describing the operation of the automated manufacturing machine is read. The element actions on the action chart are converted into the program elements. The program elements are combined together in accordance with the action chart. This allows automatic generation of a control program for controlling the operation of the automated manufacturing machine.