A system, method and computer program product for managing database query execution using control point policies that can (1) defined, (2) applied to a sphere of database operation, and (3) evaluated at run time to determine whether a policy action should be taken. A control point policy "definition" can include the specification of (1) an operational control point to which the control point policy is applied, (2) a control point policy filter that determines whether the control point policy will be implemented, and (3) a control point policy action to be implemented pursuant to the control point policy. The "application" of a control point policy can include the specification of (1) a scope of database management system operation, (2) a level representing the precedence of the control point policy relative to other control point policies, and (3) an operational environment for control point policy execution. The "evaluation" of a control point policy can include evaluating the filter specification of an applied control point policy when the associated control point is reached to determine whether the policy action should be taken.