In some aspects, there is provided a method including receiving an execution plan file, the execution plan file utilizing at least one operator of interest and further utilizing other actions separate from the at least one operator of interest. The method further includes forming an execution plan object by modifying the execution plan file by isolating the at least one operator of interest from the other actions. The method further includes performing a series of tests executing an extended execution plan object. The series of tests can include receiving the input data identified by the one or more pointers in the extended execution plan object, executing the extended execution plan object using the received input data, measuring, based on the execution of the extended execution plan object, at least one cost metric representative of execution of the at least one operator of interest, and outputting the measured cost metric.