1. A method for flexible data archival using a model-driven approach in a system having a data archive engine, a rule based data archive manager having a pattern matcher, a decision scheduler and a rule executor, a fact meta-data storage and a rule library storage, the method comprising: selecting rules based upon input data from the rule library storage; routing the rules to the decision scheduler; submitting the rules to the rule executor; and archiving data archive tasks based upon the rules.