1. A method for associating user preferences with an access plan, the method comprising the steps of: receiving an access plan for a query, wherein the access plan is generated using a cost-based optimizer; subsequent to generation of the access plan by the cost-based optimizer, receiving one or more user preferences relating to the access plan, wherein the one or more user preferences are separate from the query and received from a user subsequent to generation of the access plan; associating the one or more preferences with the access plan; storing the access plan and the associated one or more user preferences such that the access plan may be modified prior to execution by applying the one or more user preferences to the access plan; and executing the access plan to generate a result set, including applying the one or more user preferences to the access plan to modify the access plan prior to execution such that the modified access plan is executed.