A method includes discovering one or more assets associated with a system. The method also includes determining first data that could be collected from each of the one or more assets by cross-referencing the one or more assets with a collection model. The method further includes determining second data that is to be collected from each of the one or more assets by cross-referencing the first data with requirements of one or more applications that use data from the one or more assets. In addition, the method includes automatically generating a schedule for collection of the second data from the one or more assets.