Preconditioning for stochastic simulation of computer system performance is described. In an embodiment, methods taught herein include preconditioning a performance scenario that is simulated as part of a software deployment. The performance scenario specifies devices included as part of a hardware configuration supporting the software. The performance scenario can be modified based, at least in part, on the result of the preconditioning. Other methods taught herein include two complementary techniques for preconditioning performance scenarios, referred to as pseudo-simulation and workload aggregation.
