1. In a computer system, a method for enabling a process to manage the execution of a periodic, single-execution (PSE) task, said process representing one of a plurality of processes executing on said computer system, said PSE task representing a task to be performed once by one of said plurality of processes for each rotation of a periodic schedule, each of said plurality of processes being capable of performing said PSE task and scheduled to perform said PSE task during said each rotation of said periodic schedule, comprising: obtaining an exclusive lock on a first storage location, said first storage location being globally accessible to said plurality of processes, said first storage location storing a global synchronization value, said exclusive lock preventing other processes from writing to said first storage location if said exclusive lock is obtained by said process; comparing a local synchronization value associated with said process with said global synchronization value; if said local synchronization value equals said global synchronization value, incrementing both said local synchronization value and said global synchronization value prior to releasing said exclusive lock and performing one of releasing said exclusive lock and performing said PSE task and then performing the other one of said releasing said exclusive lock and performing said PSE task; and if said local synchronization value differs from said global synchronization value, setting said local synchronization value to be equal to said global synchronization value and releasing said exclusive lock.