The streams environment includes a plurality of operators coupled with processing elements including a first processing element coupled with a first operator instructed with a first programming instructions, and a second processing element coupled with a second operator instructed with a second programming instructions. A workload of the first processing element and a workload of the second processing element are measured. A first threshold of the workload of the first processing element, and second threshold of the workload of the second processing element are determined. The first programming instructions and the second programming instructions are compared to determine if the first operator and the second operator are susceptible to fusion. The first operator is de-coupled and fused to the second processing element, in response to determining the first threshold and the determination that the first operator and the second operator are susceptible to fusion.