In a transfer of tasks between devices in a network, a failing device determines that it will not complete a task. The failing device compares the requirements of the task with sets of device capabilities on a device list, where each set is associated with a device in the network. The failing device determines that the requirements of the task matches, a set of device capabilities associated with a given device, and in response, sends a request to transfer the given task to the given device. When a rejection of the request is received, the failing device compares the requirements of the task with remaining sets of device capabilities on the device list, determines that the requirements of the task matches a second set of device capabilities associated with a second given device, and in response, sends a second request to transfer the task to the second given device.