Abstract: Improved techniques of fulfilling a request to perform a task involve a master computer placing the request in a first queue and a copy of the request in a second queue, the second queue being frequently accessed by a set of worker computers which rapidly scans the second queue for requests to fulfill. If, during the scanning, a worker computer determines that it has a capability to fulfill the request, the worker computer removes the copy of the request from the second queue. Furthermore, if the copy of the request remains in the second queue after a brief time period, it is clear that the set of worker computers is unable to perform the task. In this case, the master computer takes a remedial action such as notifying a client computer which sent the request that the worker computers, as currently configured, are unable to perform the task.