A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method and system for managing a distributed medical diagnostic imaging system. The system includes a system manager for managing the medical diagnostic imaging system, a subsystem that includes a subsystem manager for managing the subsystem and an actor, or task operator, capable of executing certain functions. The subsystem manager reports to the system manager. The system also includes a communication channel for transmitting data between the system manager and the subsystem. The system may include a plurality of subsystems with a plurality of actors or task operators. The components of the system may be configured and adjusted.