With increased use of microprogramming in present computer systems, the need arises to automate the checking and optimization of microcode. This paper reviews the optimization objectives, characterizes microprogranis, and discusses the machine structure. A translator from machine code to microcode appears feasible and is described. Some compiler techniques are reviewed and adapted to improve microprograms by studying operational interaction. Microprogram characteristics permit additional methods to reduce the computation effort. The techniques are integrated into a scheme implemented for optimizing a simulated machine.