Systems and methods for using optimization techniques to construct a nearly optimal execution plan for an outer join query are disclosed. A query graph of the outer join query is constructed, by computing for each node the set of nodes influencing it, for each target node the set of its needed reducers, and predetermining the effects of all admissible moves in all possible sequences. The directed graph of all admissible move sequences is formed. An optimization process includes dynamically generating good estimations for the target distance of a search state. Some heuristics are disclosed for providing start solutions for the optimization process.