A heuristic solver is wrapped in a meta algorithm that will perform multiple sub-runs within the desired time limit, and expand or reduce the effort based on the time it has taken so far and the time left. The goal is to use the largest effort possible as this typically increases the probability of success. In another implementation, the meta algorithm iterates the time-like parameter from a small value, and determine the next test-value so as to minimize time to target collecting data at large effort only as necessary. The meta algorithm evaluates the energy of the solutions obtained to determine whether to increase or decrease the value of the time-like parameter. The heuristic algorithm may be Simulated Annealing, the heuristic algorithm may run on a quantum processor, including a quantum annealing processor or a gate-model quantum processor.