A method of searching for work elements for processing in a computing system having a primary queue of work elements and at least one secondary queue of work elements. A numerical priority value is associated with each of the work elements. The method includes setting an initial priority bar and processing work elements from the primary queue until reaching a work element having a priority less than the initial priority bar. A priority bar is set equal to a minimum of a priority limit and a priority on the at least one secondary queue. If the primary queue contains a work element having a priority greater than or equal to the priority bar, then the work element is processed. If the primary queue contains a work element having a priority less than the priority bar, then a work element from the at least one secondary queue is processed.