A method of analyzing the quality of optical effects on an optical recording medium as well as applications of the method in connection with optimizing a write strategy and analyzing the write quality for an optical recording medium are disclosed. The method comprising the steps of determining waveforms of a measured and a nominal optical signal, and calculating an amplitude-difference parameter from a difference in the measured and nominal waveforms. A quality measure of the optical effects can thereby be determined from the amplitude-difference parameter. The applications of the method include, but are not limited to: a device for reading optical effects from an optical storage medium with means for determining the an amplitude-difference parameter, an optical recording apparatus with means for adjusting the power level and/or level duration in a write strategy and an IC for controlling an optical storage apparatus.