A method of coordinating operation of a number of different modules in a computing system that includes: receiving, at a state machine of a module, publication of an occurrence of a number of triggering states at modules of the computing system to which a current state of the state machine is subscribed; in response to receiving publication of the occurrence the number of triggering states at modules of the computing system to which a current state of the state machine is subscribed, sending a request to a central supervisor for authorization to advance to a next state; and in response to receiving authorization from the central supervisor, advancing the state machine to the next state corresponding to the number of triggering states that have occurred.