The present invention relates to a method of constructing a variant of a parent Termamyl-like alpha -
amylase, which variant has alpha -
amylase activity and at least one altered property as compared to the parent alpha -
amylase, comprises i) analyzing the structure of the parent Termamyl-like alpha -amylase to identify at least one
amino acid residue or at least one structural part of the Termamyl-like alpha -amylase structure, which
amino acid residue or structural part is believed to be of relevance for altering the property of the parent Termamyl-like alpha -amylase (as evaluated on the basis of structural or functional considerations), ii) constructing a Termamyl-like alpha -amylase variant, which as compared to the parent Termamyl-like alpha -amylase, has been modified in the
amino acid residue or structural part identified in i) so as to alter the property, and, optionally, iii) testing the resulting Termamyl-like alpha -amylase variant with respect to the property in question.