Abstract: A data processing system comprises at least one resource manager (RM) for managing changes to respective system resources in accordance to a commit/backout protocol, and a resource manager coordinator (RMC) for coordinating the commit/backout activities of the at least one resource manager. A process resource manager (ERM) is provided, coordinated by the resource manager coordinator according to the commit/backout protocol, for managing the execution of non-compliant processes not complying with the commit/backout protocol. The process resource manager automatically determines, upon receipt of a backout request, a sequence of compensation actions to be performed to backout actions performed during the execution of the secondary non-compliant processes, and managing the execution of said compensation actions.