Using Excel to Optimize a schedule

I have a series of tasks that vary in the frequency they must be completed: quarterly, bi-annually and annually. I also know the length each of these tasks take.

Is there a way to use excel to optimize the month I should start each of the given task? I feel like solver should help but I'm struggling to see how.

While solver has many admirable qualities the concept of time is not one of them.

Setting up a Solver problem all “components” is available at the same time. In production of goods one may add constraint like assembling, painting and packing and specify the number of units (hours, minutes) each operation takes and Solver will try to find a solution that that produces the most number of goods without exceeding the total number of hours available.

But solver will not be aware of the fact that in production the “flow” starts with assembling, then to painting and finally packing. That’s where you need a human to “translate” the theoretical Solver solution into practical working solution.

Alf