In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus or optimizing a time progression of an MR control sequence that operates an MR scanner of the MR apparatus so as to execute at least two sequence modules, a property of a component of the magnetic resonance apparatus is detected, and a first requirement of the component is determined for a first sequence module of the at least two sequence modules. A second requirement of the component is detected for a second sequence module of the at least two sequence modules. The time progression of the at least two sequence modules is optimized, taking account of the property, the first requirement and second requirement.