A method and system for generating ranking criteria used to rank items in a computer system. The ranking criteria is based, at least in part, on storage information related to each of the items to be ranked. The storage information includes a storage parameter and/or a backup parameter. In one embodiment, a list of items is received in which storage information associated with each of the items is gathered. The items are ranked according to a relationship between the determined ranking criteria and at least the storage information associated with each of the items.