A method, system, and computer program product for preserving the intent of a logical volume creator with the logical volume. The creator of a logical volume defines certain characteristics of that logical volume. In response to the user's requirements, the system explores the possibilities for providing the characteristics in the existing storage environment. The system then implements the logical volume and stores the intent, along with a corresponding set of rules for configuring the logical volume, with the logical volume. As a result, volume management operations like resizing the volume and evacuating data from the volume use the rules to preserve the intent of the creator. By ensuring that the logical volume consistently conforms to rules fulfilling the original intent, a consistent level of availability of the logical volume can be achieved to fulfill contractual availability requirements for storage service level agreements.