Production plan optimization apparatus, method, non-transitory computer readable medium storing program, and control apparatus

A control apparatus comprising:

• at least one memory storing instructions;
• and
• at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to:
• formulate a problem regarding determining a sequence in which a plurality of workpieces are processed as a traveling salesman problem that satisfies a delivery date constraint based on a delivery date specified for at least one of the plurality of workpieces and a sequence constraint specified for at least one of combinations of the plurality of workpieces and also minimizes a sum of changeover times associated with switching of the workpieces;
• calculate a solution to the traveling salesman problem, by using an annealing processing machine for searching for an optimal solution to a combinatorial optimization problem by simulated annealing or quantum annealing, and determine the sequence in which the plurality of workpieces are processed based on a result of the calculation;
• and
• controlling a processing apparatus to physically process the plurality of workpieces according to the sequence determined based on the result of the calculation.