1. A method for grouping networked storage system components, the method comprising: associating a plurality of storage system components executing on one or more computer processors into at least first and second groups; associating the first group with a first storage policy which defines one or more retention storage preferences to be performed by the storage system components in the first group; associating the second group with a second storage policy which defines one or more retention storage preferences to be performed by the storage system components in the second group; and reassigning one or more of the storage system components associated with the first group to both the first group and the second group, and in the event a first operation associated with the first storage policy conflicts with a second operation associated the second storage policy, the storage policy associated with a higher priority controls.