Discrete element method (DEM) allows modelling soils by preserving their granular nature. This way it becomes possible to investigate geotechnical problems at particle scale. However, DEM suffers from high computational demand. Modeling great number of particles and observing their interactions over a period of time requires a dauntingly significant amount of computational time. In order to reduce calculation times without affecting results, this study attempts to investigate the feasibility of three different techniques. This is done by considering the problem of penetration into granular media and modelling it by employing  these optimization techniques. Accordingly, firstly, suitable model parameters for a validated DEM model were determined using the experimental results of a study in literature. Following, a series of models were prepared using the proposed techniques to evaluate their validity. The results of each of the prepared models were compared with the result of a similar model prepared without any optimization technique. As a result of the comparisons, it has been seen that all three proposed methods can be used for the purpose of reducing the calculation time.