A method and apparatus that includes processing for providing reliable interoperation of the plurality of independent software modules. Such processing begins by determining selection of an object by one of a plurality of independent software modules to produce a new object selection. The processing then continues by determining object selection status, which indicates a selected object and an associated one of the plurality of independent software modules. In other words, the object selection status indicates which independent software module is currently managing a particular object. The processing then continues by updating the object selection status when a difference occurs between at least one of the independent software modules identified currently in the object selection status and the independent software module selecting the object, and/or the newly selected object is different from the object identified in the object selection status. In other words, the object selection status is updated to correspond the selecting software module to be responsible for management of the selected object. If such was already indicated in the object selection status no change occurs.