A method and apparatus for system level management to a wireless device using measurements. In various embodiments, a system level manager independent of the operating system of a wireless device may be configured to determine relevant metrics to obtain measurements, based at least in part on the quality of service needs and performance/resource consumption models of the wireless device. In various embodiments, the system level manager may be further configured to determine management actions to be taken by the operating system based at least in part on the measurements obtained.