A system and method are described for constructing and implementing generic software agents for automated tuning of computer systems and applications. The framework defines the modules and interfaces to allow agents to be created in a modular fashion. The specifics of the target system are captured by adaptors that provide a uniform interface to the target system. Data in the agent is managed by a metric manager, and controller modules implement the desired control algorithms. The modular structure and common interfaces allow for the construction of generic agents that are applicable to a wide variety of target systems, and can use a wide variety of control algorithms.