A system includes a production cluster with a first plurality of nodes. The production cluster executes a workload. Jobs associated with the workload are allocated, according to a first configuration, across the first plurality of nodes. A workload simulator is coupled to the production cluster and a test cluster. The workload simulator extracts production cluster data, which includes production capability information, workload data, and production cluster usage information, as well as test capability information. The workload simulator determines a first job type to include in a simulated workload to be executed on the test cluster and a number of jobs of the first job type to include in the simulated workload. The system also includes a test cluster which includes a second plurality of nodes. The second plurality of nodes includes fewer nodes than does the first plurality of nodes. The test cluster executes the simulated workload.