A value is distributed in a distributed computing system having a master system in communication with a plurality of worker systems. Partitions of a graph are assigned to the worker systems. The graph represents relationships among a set of tangible items that model a real-world condition having an associated problem. Configuration information is determined that describes a configuration of the distributed computing system. A distribution scheme is selected for distributing a value from the master system to the plurality of worker systems based on the configuration information. The value is distributed from the master system to the worker systems according to the selected distribution scheme. The worker systems are configured to use the value to produce an output representing a solution to the real-world problem.