Optimization preferences are defined for optimizing execution of a distributed application. Candidate sets of application parameter values may be tested in test execution environments. Measures of performance for metrics of interest are determined based upon the execution of the distributed application using the candidate sets of application parameter values. Utility curves may be utilized to compute measures of effectiveness for metrics of interest. A multi-attribute rollup operation may utilize the computed measures of effectiveness and weights to compute a grand measure of merit (MOM) for the candidate sets of application parameter values. An optimized set of application parameter values may then be selected based upon the computed grand MOMs. The optimized set of application parameter values may be deployed to a production execution environment executing the distributed application. Production safe application parameters might also be identified and utilized to optimize execution of the distributed application in a production execution environment.