A method of managing a server is described where a service performed by a task executing on the server is configured into a plurality of sub-tasks, which may be further configured into a plurality of subsidiary tasks. When a subsidiary task executes, the completion thereof is determined to be either a successful or an unsuccessful completion. The completion status of the ensemble of subsidiary tasks is assessed on each completion of a subsidiary task, and the failure of any subsidiary task to successfully complete is deemed to be a failure to complete of the server task. The failure to complete is reported to the requesting application without waiting for the completion of any pending subsidiary task.