Abstract: A property based decision support system for allocating existing resources to implement a functional unit. The system includes a plurality of resource modules, each providing a component function for implementing a portion of the functional unit and having a set of properties associated therewith. A resource module property object is provided for defining a set of properties for each of the plurality of resource modules and an evaluation expression for each of the properties. A link object defines a set of required modules having required properties associated therewith which are necessary to implement the functional unit.