An embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus and method for classifying a workload of a computing entity. In an embodiment, the computing entity samples a plurality of values for a plurality of parameters of the workload. Based on the plurality of values of each parameter, the computing entity determines a parameter from the plurality of parameters that the computing entity's response time is dependent on. Here, the computing entity's response time is indicative of a time required by the computing entity to respond to a service request from the workload. Further, based on the identified significant parameter, the computing entity classifies the workload of the computing entity by selecting a workload classification from a plurality of predefined workload classifications.