System and methods are described for creating an instance of a database in a cloud computing environment. One method includes receiving a request to deploy an instance of a database in a cloud computing environment, the request including a database deployment model defining deployment of the database instance, building a deployment model decision tree based on the database deployment model, and initializing a cloud deployment strategy using the database deployment model for enabling one or more cloud service providers of the cloud computing environment to deploy the database instance. The method further includes provisioning cloud computing resources for the database instance according to the cloud deployment strategy, initializing sets of services for the database instance according to the deployment model decision tree, creating the database instance, and indicating the database instance as active in the cloud computing environment.