A unidirectional workflow execution engine is accessed. The unidirectional workflow includes at least a first node and a second node, where the first node is executed before the second node. A timeout setting of the first node is retrieved. An actual execution time of the first node is determined. A difference between the retrieved timeout setting and the actual execution time of the first node is calculated. A timeout setting of the second node is retrieved. The timeout setting of the second node is modified by adding, to the retrieved timeout setting of the second node, the calculated difference between the retrieved timeout setting and the execution time of the first node.