A computer implemented method, system, and/or computer program product provides hierarchical templates to optimize a configuration of an information technology (IT) infrastructure. A technology rule set, which defines technology weights of an IT infrastructure by mapping capabilities of IT infrastructure components to IT infrastructure attributes needed to execute a specific workload, is established. Hierarchical templates, which are tied to configuration logic for creating IT infrastructures, are sent to a user. Based on user-selected templates, a candidate IT infrastructure for executing the specific workload is configured. In response to determining that the candidate IT infrastructure fails to meet the customer's expectations, the candidate IT infrastructure is reconfigured until the customer's expectations are met.