1. A computer-implemented system for designing communications circuits, comprising: one or more route plans each comprising: a first route point group associated with a first circuit end point; a second route point group associated with a second circuit end point; and one or more routes connecting the first and second route point groups, each route being available for use in designing the circuit; and a design engine operable to access a route plan, select a route according to the route plan, and automatically assign the selected route to the circuit in designing the circuit.