The method and system receive streaming data to be processed by a plurality of processing elements comprising one or more stream operators. One embodiment is directed to a method and a system for managing processing in a streaming application. A stream operator may select a delay pattern. The stream operator may compare one or more performance factors from the delay pattern to one or more optimal performance factors. The stream operator may delay the stream of tuples using the delay pattern if the performance factors are determined by the optimal performance factors.