Methods of managing memory devices, and devices so managed. A value of a parameter, that is used to program one or more memory cells, is adapted to a monitored condition of the cell(s). Either the number of bits per cell is held fixed or the monitored condition is an intrinsic condition of the cell(s). The initial value of the parameter is optimized for those specific cells, relative to a pre-selected criterion, by programming the cell(s) in accordance with candidate values of the parameter.