A method is disclosed for operating a computer cluster distributed over multiple locations using quorum mechanism. The cluster includes interconnected defined system instances. The method includes distributing the cluster configuration to each system instance, and constantly checking system instance connectivity to determine reachable system instances. Each healthy system instance determines a subcluster of itself and all reachable system instances. Information of the distributed cluster configuration is used to calculate a corresponding subcluster configuration. Subcluster configuration information and the cluster configuration information is used for computing a new quorum decision for the corresponding subcluster, using a location quorum function considering proportions of connected locations containing reachable system instances, and weights of the reachable system instances in the locations. Workload placement decisions are made based on the new quorum granting permission to place workload to system instances in a specific subcluster, or refusing the permission, whenever the subcluster changes.