Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing resource contention in parallel data backup processes that share a variety of resources in a computer environment to access target data to be backed-up. The target data is distributed among the backup processes based on an availability of one or more resources in the computer environment used by a backup storage system to access the target data. In one example, each data file of the target data is assigned to a particular backup process based on the availability of one or more resources and a total size of the target data. The data files of the target data are assigned to the backup processes such that each backup process backs-up a respective portion of the target data, and such that the collection of backup processes that make up a backup operation are completed in a shortened time as a result of reduced resource contention.