Abstract: A network service runtime module executing on a processor is configured to accept a directed acyclic service graph representing elements of a network service application. During execution of the service graph, runtime events are stored. The service graph may by optimized by generating alternate service graphs, and simulating performance of the alternate service graphs in a simulator using the stored runtime events. A hill climber algorithm may be used in conjunction with the simulator to vary alternate service graphs and determine which alternate service graphs provide the greatest utility. Once determined, an alternate service graph with the greatest utility may be loaded into the network service runtime module for execution.