Disclosed are interactive computer-implemented support solutions for facilitating the configuration of complex artifacts having characteristics that vary over a relatively wide range of possibilities. The artifact is defined by a configuration model and its features are described by a set of interrelated parameters. A model translation module converts the configuration model into a constraint satisfaction problem. The constraint satisfaction problem, in turn, is defined by a set of variables, wherein each variable may attain a finite number of different values, and a set of constraints restricting which variable values that are simultaneously possible for the variables in the set of variables. A configuration engine calculates a solution to the constraint satisfaction problem, which is optimal with respect to a value assigned to each variable in the constraint satisfaction problem relative to a predefined optimizing criterion. The configuration engine also derives a set of optimal parameter values associated with the calculated solution.