A system and method are presented to control distribution of work items to threads in a server. The system and method include a permit dispenser that keeps track of permits, and a plurality of thread pools each including a queue with a configurable size, being configured with a desired concurrency and a size of the queue that is equal to a total number of work items to be executed by pool threads in the thread pool. The number of permits specifies a total number of threads available for executing the work items in the server. Each pool thread executes a work item in the thread pool, determines whether a thread surplus or a thread deficit exists, and shrinks or grows the thread pool respectively.