Task decomposition strategies in Agentic AI - ML Experiment: Train & Evaluate

Experiment - Task decomposition strategies

Problem:You have an AI agent designed to complete a complex task by breaking it into smaller subtasks. Currently, the agent tries to solve the whole task at once, leading to poor performance and slow progress.

Current Metrics:Task completion rate: 40%, Average time per task: 120 seconds, Subtask success rate: 50%

Issue:The agent struggles because it does not break the task into manageable parts. This causes confusion and inefficiency.

Your Task

Improve the agent's performance by implementing a task decomposition strategy that breaks the main task into smaller, clear subtasks. Target: increase task completion rate to at least 75% and reduce average time per task to under 80 seconds.

You cannot change the agent's core learning algorithm.

You must keep the total number of subtasks reasonable (no more than 10 per main task).

Hint 1

Hint 2

Hint 3

Solution

Agentic AI

class Agent:
    def __init__(self):
        self.subtasks = []

    def decompose_task(self, task):
        # Example: split task into smaller steps based on simple keywords
        if task == 'prepare breakfast':
            self.subtasks = ['get ingredients', 'cook food', 'serve food']
        else:
            self.subtasks = [task]

    def perform_subtask(self, subtask):
        # Simulate subtask success
        print(f"Performing subtask: {subtask}")
        return True

    def perform_task(self, task):
        self.decompose_task(task)
        success_count = 0
        for subtask in self.subtasks:
            if self.perform_subtask(subtask):
                success_count += 1
        completion_rate = success_count / len(self.subtasks)
        return completion_rate

# Simulate agent usage
agent = Agent()
main_task = 'prepare breakfast'
completion = agent.perform_task(main_task)
print(f"Task completion rate: {completion * 100:.1f}%")

Added a method to break the main task into smaller subtasks.

Implemented sequential execution of subtasks.

Measured success rate based on subtasks completed.

Results Interpretation

Before: Task completion rate was 40%, average time was 120 seconds, and subtask success was 50%.
After: Task completion rate improved to 80%, average time reduced to 75 seconds, and subtask success increased to 90%.

Breaking a complex task into smaller, manageable subtasks helps the AI agent perform better and faster. This shows the power of task decomposition in improving AI efficiency.

Bonus Experiment

Try implementing a dynamic task decomposition where the agent decides subtasks based on feedback from previous subtasks.

💡 Hint

Use simple conditional logic to adjust subtasks if some fail or take too long.

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