In response to receiving an input of a user criteria for operating a system, one or more predictive models are selected in dependence on the user criteria. The predictive models predict behavior of the system and are stored in the memory with one or more system performance models that control operation of the system. The selected performance model(s) is implemented to select a subset of sensors that monitor physical conditions of the system and/or environmental parameters thereof, and is also used to select one or more of the system performance models that conform to the user criteria. One or more actuators associated with the system are controlled according to inputs received from the selected subset of sensors and the selected performance model(s). The same concepts are valid for other areas rather than maintenance, like optimization in the area of the internet of things, dynamic system reconfiguration, preventive healthcare.