In a virtual machine environment, a virtual machine ID uniquely associated with a preferred virtual guest is sent to a storage controller along with requests to RESERVE or RELEASE a direct access storage device. The method comprises transforming a first step of the workflow into a first step subtree of the management object tree, for the client to execute the workflow according to the management object tree. Unlike many prior art transition processes which are reversible, this process provides a liquid crystal state that can be maintained for years at ambient conditions.