Abstract: A method and system for managing an instance of a software component for performing an operation. The system includes a state machine and an interface. The state machine can be created via a request for activation of the instance by an application. The interface specifies conditions under which the state machine and a user of the instance interact. The state machine has a plurality of states, has capability to construct and dynamically configure system resources needed by the instance, has capability to automatically transition between and through states as required, has capability to ensure that the instance is in correct condition when it enters a given state, and has capability to appropriately reconfigure the system resources prior to destruction of the instance.