Task decomposition strategies in Agentic AI - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

🧠 Conceptual

intermediate

Understanding Task Decomposition in Agentic AI

Which of the following best describes the purpose of task decomposition in agentic AI systems?

A Randomly assigning tasks to agents without any hierarchy or structure

B Combining multiple simple tasks into one large task to reduce computation time

C Eliminating subtasks to simplify the overall task and reduce errors

D Breaking a complex task into smaller, manageable subtasks to improve problem-solving efficiency

💡 Hint

Think about how big problems are easier to solve when split into smaller parts.

Task decomposition helps by breaking down complex problems into smaller subtasks, making it easier for AI agents to solve each part efficiently.

❓ Model Choice

intermediate

Choosing a Decomposition Strategy for Sequential Tasks

You have a task that requires completing steps in a strict order. Which decomposition strategy suits this best?

A Hierarchical decomposition, where subtasks are arranged in a sequence with dependencies

B Parallel decomposition, where subtasks run simultaneously without order

C Random decomposition, where subtasks are assigned randomly to agents

D No decomposition, solving the entire task as one block

💡 Hint

Consider the importance of order and dependencies between subtasks.

Hierarchical decomposition organizes subtasks in a sequence respecting dependencies, ideal for ordered tasks.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

Output of Recursive Task Decomposition Function

What is the output of the following Python function that decomposes a task recursively?

Agentic AI

def decompose(task, depth=0):
    if depth == 2:
        return [task]
    else:
        return [task + '_sub1'] + decompose(task + '_sub2', depth + 1)

result = decompose('task')
print(result)

A ['task_sub1', 'task_sub2_sub1', 'task_sub2_sub2']

B ['task_sub1', 'task_sub2_sub1']

C ['task_sub1', 'task_sub2_sub1', 'task_sub2_sub2', 'task_sub2_sub2_sub1']

D ['task_sub1']

💡 Hint

Trace the recursive calls and note when the base case stops recursion.

The function adds '_sub1' at each level and recurses with '_sub2' until depth 2, producing three items.

❓ Metrics

advanced

Evaluating Efficiency of Task Decomposition

You measure the time taken to complete a task with and without decomposition. Which metric best shows improvement due to decomposition?

A Number of subtasks created regardless of time

B Memory usage increase after decomposition

C Decrease in average time per subtask compared to whole task time

D Increase in total computation time after decomposition

💡 Hint

Think about how breaking tasks affects time efficiency.

Decomposition is efficient if subtasks take less time on average than the whole task, showing better manageability.

🔧 Debug

expert

Debugging Task Decomposition Logic in Agentic AI

Given the following pseudocode for decomposing tasks, which line causes a logical error that prevents proper subtask creation?

1: function decompose(task):
2:   subtasks = []
3:   if task is simple:
4:     return [task]
5:   for sub in task.subtasks:
6:     subtasks.append(decompose(task))
7:   return subtasks

A Line 2: Initializing subtasks as an empty list

B Line 6: Recursively decomposing the same task instead of the subtask

C Line 3: Incorrect condition to check if task is simple

D Line 7: Returning subtasks instead of the original task

💡 Hint

Look carefully at what is passed to the recursive call inside the loop.

Line 6 calls decompose(task) repeatedly instead of decompose(sub), causing infinite recursion or wrong results.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of task decomposition in agentic AI?

easy

A. To make tasks more confusing and complex

B. To combine multiple tasks into one complex task

C. To skip unnecessary steps in a task

D. To break a big task into smaller, manageable steps

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the meaning of task decomposition

   Task decomposition means splitting a big task into smaller parts that are easier to handle.

2. Step 2: Identify the correct purpose

   The goal is to make complex problems simpler by breaking them down, not to combine or skip steps.

3. Final Answer:

   To break a big task into smaller, manageable steps -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Task decomposition = breaking big tasks down [OK]

Hint: Think: big task split into small steps [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing decomposition with combining tasks
• Thinking it skips steps
• Believing it makes tasks more complex

2. Which of the following is the correct way to write a step in task decomposition?

easy

A. Break the task into clear, simple steps done one by one

B. Do everything at once to save time

C. Skip steps that seem hard to avoid difficulty

D. Mix unrelated tasks in one step for speed

Solution

1. Step 1: Review the principles of task decomposition

   Steps should be clear, simple, and done one after another to keep things organized.

2. Step 2: Match the correct description

   Break the task into clear, simple steps done one by one matches this idea, while others suggest skipping or mixing tasks, which is incorrect.

3. Final Answer:

   Break the task into clear, simple steps done one by one -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Clear, simple steps = correct decomposition [OK]

Hint: Choose clear, simple, one-by-one steps [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to do all steps at once
• Skipping difficult steps
• Mixing unrelated tasks in one step

3. Given the task: "Prepare a report", which of the following is a correct decomposition output?

medium

A. ["Review report", "Write report", "Analyze data", "Collect data"]

B. ["Collect data", "Analyze data", "Write report", "Review report"]

C. ["Write report", "Collect data", "Review report", "Analyze data"]

D. ["Analyze data", "Review report", "Collect data", "Write report"]

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand logical order of steps

   First, collect data, then analyze it, write the report, and finally review it.

2. Step 2: Check each option's order

   Only ["Collect data", "Analyze data", "Write report", "Review report"] follows this logical sequence; others mix the order incorrectly.

3. Final Answer:

   ["Collect data", "Analyze data", "Write report", "Review report"] -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Logical step order = ["Collect data", "Analyze data", "Write report", "Review report"] [OK]

Hint: Follow natural task order step-by-step [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Mixing steps in wrong order
• Starting with writing before data collection
• Reviewing before writing

4. Identify the error in this task decomposition: ["Start project", "Finish project", "Plan project", "Execute project"]

medium

A. Steps are in wrong order; planning should come before starting

B. No error; steps are correct

C. Missing a step to review the project

D. Too many steps; should combine start and finish

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the logical order of steps

   Planning should happen before starting a project to guide the work.

2. Step 2: Identify the error

   The list starts with 'Start project' before 'Plan project', which is incorrect order.

3. Final Answer:

   Steps are in wrong order; planning should come before starting -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Plan before start = correct order [OK]

Hint: Plan first, then start [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring step order
• Assuming no error if steps exist
• Thinking start can come before plan

5. You want to build an agentic AI to clean a messy room. Which task decomposition strategy is best?

hard

A. Only clean visible areas and skip hidden spots

B. Clean the whole room randomly without order

C. Divide the room into zones, then clean each zone step-by-step

D. Try to clean everything at once with no steps

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the problem complexity

   Cleaning a messy room is complex; breaking it into zones makes it manageable.

2. Step 2: Choose the best strategy

   Divide the room into zones, then clean each zone step-by-step breaks the task into smaller parts done step-by-step, which is effective and organized.

3. Final Answer:

   Divide the room into zones, then clean each zone step-by-step -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Break big task into small parts = Divide the room into zones, then clean each zone step-by-step [OK]

Hint: Split big task into zones or parts [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Cleaning randomly without plan
• Skipping parts of the task
• Trying to do everything at once