A resource allocation method and system for efficiently allocating compute resources. The method includes providing a workload manager and installing a workload in the computer system. During the installing, a service level goal for the workload is provided to the workload manager, and the workload manager assigns a first resource allocation for the compute resources to the workload. Then, a service level being achieved for the workload is determined in the compute resources. Based on results of the comparing, the workload manager reallocates the compute resource with the workload manager including assigning a second resource allocation for the compute resources to the workload. The workload may be made up of one or more applications running on the compute resources over multiple OS instances. The installing of the workload includes the application interfacing with the workload manager to provide the service level goal during installation.