An approach is provided for optimizing a deployment pattern. Precedent system(s) that have components that match components in an initial deployment pattern of a new system are identified. A historical performance of the precedent system(s) is determined to not satisfy target non-functional requirements (NFRs) and target service levels of the new system. Responsive to determining that the historical performance did not satisfy the NFRs and the target service levels, the components in the initial deployment pattern are modified and a new deployment pattern for the new system is generated so that (i) the new deployment pattern includes the modified components and (ii) a performance of the new system using the new deployment pattern is likely to satisfy the target NFRs and the target service levels. A recommendation for deploying the new system using the new deployment pattern is generated.