A method for determining the dependencies between objects in a system is provided. Determining the dependencies between objects involves analyzing data about the objects and applying rules to the data about the objects. According to one embodiment, a first set of dependencies between a plurality of objects may be based on data in a set of sources and dependency rules, whereas a second set of dependencies between the plurality of objects may be based on data from a different set of sources but the same dependency rules. According to another embodiment, a first set of dependencies between a plurality of objects may be based on data in a set of sources and dependency rules, whereas a second set of dependencies between the plurality of objects is based on data from the same set of sources but different dependency rules.