A method for optimizing a dc operating drive current of a laser diode is presented. Lasers of a particular type are characterized in terms of the dependency of certain parameters on temperature and of the minimum bias current required for adequate laser speed. The minimum bias current is determined using the operating bias current minus the threshold current all normalized by the threshold current. For individual laser diodes, the threshold current and slope efficiency are obtained at various temperatures to allow calculation at operating temperatures of interest. The minimum laser bias current for speed can then be determined over the operating temperature range. This may be done by setting the optical power to the highest value calculated using this minimum acceptable bias criterion over the operating temperature range. The ac and dc laser driver current sourcing requirements may be computed to ensure laser and module compatibility.