System and method for using dependency in a dynamic model to relate performance problems in a complex middleware environment

A method of isolating relevant components associated with a performance problem. The method comprises creating a static model of a system under test, including determining relationships between components in a middleware system. The method also comprises creating a dynamic problem tree by applying the static model to the system at runtime. The method further comprises identifying a link probability for each relationship in the dynamic problem tree; and traversing the dynamic problem tree to detect redundant components. A component is redundant if it has a link probability with its downstream component greater than a pre-determined threshold value. The method also comprises removing redundant components from the dynamic problem tree; and returning a set of components which are potential components to be analyzed further to determine the root causes of the performance problem.