Abstract: Computer-implemented methods selecting a cloud computing system for deployment of a workload are provided. Aspects include obtaining an input function that characterizes the workload and obtaining a plurality of performance models, wherein each of the plurality of performance models corresponds to one of a plurality of cloud computing systems including the cloud computing system. Aspects also include applying the input function into each of the plurality of performance models, calculating one or more of a gain, a phase shift, and a stability margin for each of the plurality of performance models, and selecting the cloud computing system from the plurality of cloud computing systems based at least in part on the one or more of the gain, the phase shift, and the stability margin.