Method for initialization data processing system and data processing system

Technique for initializing a data processing system. Sequences of initialization steps for selected functional hardware elements of a data processing system are defined and dependencies between the initialization steps are determined. These definition steps are preferably performed during the design and development of the data processing system. The sequences of initialization steps and their dependencies are represented in a single control flow table. This control flow table is then analyzed by a system management controller during an initialization phase of the data processing system. The sequences are associated with selected functional hardware elements and for each associated sequence of initialization steps the system management controller generates and executes a parallel thread of execution.