In one embodiment, a method for allocating resources in a shared resource domain comprises gathering performance data for multiple applications, determining that an application of the multiple applications is not achieving a service level objective (SLO), calculating an additional amount of a resource for the application estimated to cause the application to achieve the SLO, and examining, before initiating reallocation operations, at least one system characteristic to determine whether the calculated additional amount of the resource would improve performance of the application.