In accordance with an embodiment, described herein is a system and method for orchestration of operations associated with a media content environment, including use of a prepare-proceed workflow process (workflow) that supports definition and use of different payment/billing systems or processes. A payment/billing server, for use with the media content environment dynamically generates workflows for use in processing payments associated with products. Upon receipt of a request to purchase a product, the payment/billing server generates a workflow to process a payment, including querying a product subsystem to determine pre-authorization steps required for purchase of the product and executing the pre-authorization steps; querying a transaction subsystem to determine a transaction information required for authorization; and querying a payment processor for authorization of the transaction. The payment/billing server then executes any required post-authorization steps, and communicates with the payment processor to capture the purchase.