A method is disclosed to optimize the performance of a holographic data storage system, where that holographic data storage system comprises a plurality of calibratable components, and where each of the plurality of calibratable components comprises one or operational parameters, and where each of those operational parameter is associated with a nominal range. The method seriatim tests each calibratable component and measures the one or more operational parameters for that device. The method determines if the one or more operational parameters associated with each of the calibratable components fall within the associated nominal ranges. If an operational parameter associated with a selected calibratable component fall outside the associated nominal range, then the method recalibrates that selected calibratable component.