Abstract: A system and method for generating a class of weighted intensity performance metrics and a class of relative performance metrics for a computer system. Additionally, a method for accumulating data for generating the two classes of performance metrics. A record is generated that is associated with a transaction performed by an application process A.sub.i running on a computer system. A tick count is generated representing a total amount of a resource of the computer system that is consumed by application process A.sub.i for completion of the transaction. Each increment of the tick count represents a unit of consumption of the resource. A performance metric corresponding to a quality of performance of the computer system for application process A.sub.i and related to a metric value M1 is generated based on records and tick counts that are associated with the transaction performed by the application process A.sub.i.