1. A method for determining optimal pathways for creating a virtual machine (VM) with a given set of requirements, the method comprising: a computer receiving at least one requirement for a new VM; a computer identifying an existing VM to be modified during the generation of the new VM; a computer determining at least one step necessary to create the new VM configuration from the existing VM; a computer presenting at least one pathway for creating the new VM from the existing VM; and a computer receiving a selection of a presented pathway to create the new VM.