A method for optimizing the operation of a spinning machine with regard to quality and productivity is provided. An apparatus, comprising a control device and the spinning machine is provided. A yarn having specified yarn properties is produced, a quality parameter of the yarn is sensed during the spinning operation, a parameter for setting the production speed is specified, the quality parameter and the parameter for setting the production speed are evaluated, and the production speed is set in dependence on a target variable, the target variable comprising the quality parameter.