1. In a database environment, a software framework for managing system resources, the software framework comprising: a maintenance window during which system tasks may be executed without significantly impacting user tasks; a resource manager configured to establish at least one resource plan, wherein the resource plan defines how system resources should be allocated among a plurality of competing tasks, the plurality of competing tasks comprising at least one user task and at least one system task; and a job scheduler configured to govern the execution of the at least one system task; wherein: the resource manager is configured to allocate relatively more system resources for the at least one system task during the system defined maintenance window; and the job scheduler is configured to inhibit the at least one system task from executing automatically except during the system-defined maintenance window.