An optimization apparatus capable of efficiently placing an electronic component. An optimization unit (203) determines a first assignment to the placement apparatus and calculates a first placement time required for placing all the electronic components assigned to the placement apparatus by the first assignment onto a circuit board by the placement apparatus. The optimization unit selects two placement apparatuses among a plurality of placement apparatuses, selects a type of an electronic component assigned for the selected placement apparatus, determines a second assignment by interchanging two selected times assigned, calculates a second placement time required for placing all the electronic components assigned to the placement apparatus by the second assignment onto the circuit board by the placement apparatus, and employs the one of the first assignment and the second assignment which has a smaller placement time. <IMAGE>