An apparatus, system, and method provide autonomy control for management of a distributed computer system. An autonomy-based configuration procedure executes a plurality of configuration tasks in accordance with autonomy criteria. Autonomous configuration tasks of the configuration procedure are identified based on the autonomy criteria and are not executed unless explicit authorization is received. Autonomous configuration tasks are executed without intervention. An administrator establishes a desired degree of autonomy by entering the autonomy criteria prior to invoking the configuration procedure.