An apparatus, program product and method enable program code that manages a managed resource, e.g., a high availability manager, to receive status information associated with an externally-managed resource such that the program code can properly apply an activation policy to the managed resource in a manner that is consistent with any requirements placed upon that resource by the externally-managed resource. Where, for example, a managed resource is required to be collocated on the same node or computer as an externally-managed resource, the status information may include location information that identifies where the externally-managed resource is currently active, such that the program code can activate the managed resource on the same node as the externally-managed resource.