A method, computer program product, and a data processing system that facilitates navigation through a directed graph for selection-of sub-processes of a modified business process derived from a business process is provided. A bounding box is used for evaluating and selecting sequences of nodes representative of business sub-processes or services. The bounding box has a predefined depth for limiting the scope of the evaluation. The bounding box is shifted during the evaluation as sequences of nodes are selected. Additionally, state data is maintained such that a sense response model may be employed to detect and account for changes to the environment in previously evaluated services. By maintaining state data, a transition to a previously evaluated sub-process may be implemented to account for significant changes in the environment.