A method for performing a backup operation includes obtaining a backup request, wherein the backup request specifies a virtual machine (VM) set, and, in response to the backup request: identifying a first set of virtual machines (VMs), wherein the first set of VMs comprises a first portion of the VM set, performing a criticality analysis on the first set of VMs using a machine learning algorithm and a trained machine learning model to obtain an ordered list of critical VMs, performing a non-critical VM prioritization on a second set of VMs using the machine learning algorithm and the trained machine learning model to obtain an ordered list of non-critical VMs, consolidating the ordered list of critical VMs and the ordered list of non-critical VMs to obtain a final list, and initiating a backup of virtual machines using the final list.