Abstract: A method may include obtaining variables that represent characteristics related to an optimization problem and weights that correspond to the variables. The variables may be divided into groups that each include a sub-set of the variables. The method may include obtaining a group local field matrix for each group of variables. Each local field matrix may include local field values that indicate interactions between a respective variable and the other variables as influenced by their respective weights. The method may include performing a semi-sequential trial process, which may be a stochastic process that includes performing trials with respect to the variables in which each trial determines whether to change a state of a variable. The semi-sequential trial process may include updating all of the group local field matrices based on the stochastic process results, and a solution to the optimization problem may be determined based on the results.