In some implementations, there is provided an apparatus having at least one data processor and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one data processor, cause executing at least a portion of a query execution plan; determining, at an edge including an intermediate result, a cardinality; proceeding with the execution of the query execution plan, when the determined cardinality is within an optimality range associated with the edge; and selecting an alternative query execution plan for execution, when the determined cardinality is outside the optimality range associated with the edge. Related systems and articles of manufacture are also provided.