In a database system, a database request is received, and database software dispatches steps associated with the database request to plural access modules of a database system for execution. Statistics are collected regarding execution of each step by a respective access module in response to receiving an indication of completion by the respective access module. It is determined whether statistics relating to execution of the database request violate one or more predefined rules, and in response to determining that the statistics relating to execution of the database request violate one or more predefined thresholds, one or more actions are performed by the database software.