A timing management node that assigns and adjusts timeout values for a time-constrained complex distributed system based on the nature of a system request, preferences of a customer furnishing a system request, and/or a current state of a complex distributed system. A timing management node evaluates information regarding a system request and information regarding a current state of a complex distributed system to generate timing requirements for the system request. Timing requirements are compiled in a timing policy messager and passed amongst nodes of a complex distributed system with process flow. Timing requirements may be revised during request processing to reflect events that have occurred within the distributed system. A timing policy message contains a timeout value and a total time elapsed parameter for a system request, to permit a complex distributed system to make smarter processing decisions based on a known time remaining to process the given system request.