Automated techniques are disclosed for coordinating request or transaction processing in a data processing system. For example, a technique for handling requests in a data processing system comprises the following steps. A compound request comprising at least two individual requests of different types is received. An individual request r1 of the compound request is placed on a queue for requests of type t1, wherein t1 is the request type of r1. After r1 has reached the front of the queue, it is determined if at least one individual request of said compound request can execute. The compound request is executed if it is determined that all individual requests of the compound request can execute.