For each device in a collaborative environment, qualities of system characteristics are determined. Based on the respective qualities of each device, a subset of devices is identified, including at least one device having a highest first quality and at least one device having a highest second quality, each corresponding to a different system characteristic. One or more devices from the subset of devices are then selected, based on the first quality and the second quality of each device of the subset of devices, to perform a function associated with the respective system characteristic.