Understanding Agent Architectures
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the difference between centralized and decentralized coordination
- Identify common architectural patterns (hierarchical, peer-to-peer, supervisor-worker)
- Choose the appropriate architecture for different use cases
Coordination Models
Multi-agent systems use different approaches to coordinate agent behavior:
Centralized Coordination:
- One coordinator agent directs all other agents
- Clear hierarchy, easier to debug
- Single point of failure risk
Decentralized Coordination:
- Agents communicate directly with each other
- More resilient, no single point of failure
- Harder to predict overall system behavior
Architectural Patterns
1. Hierarchical Pattern
Agents form a clear chain of command. Top-level agents direct lower-level agents.
Best for: Complex workflows with distinct phases, large teams
2. Peer-to-Peer Pattern
All agents are equal and communicate directly. No central coordinator.
Best for: Collaborative problem-solving, voting/consensus systems
3. Supervisor-Worker Pattern
A supervisor agent manages worker agents, assigning tasks and reviewing results.
Best for: Iterative refinement, quality control, task routing
Choosing an Architecture
| Use Case | Recommended Pattern | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Article writing pipeline | Hierarchical | Clear phases: research → outline → write → edit |
| Code review system | Supervisor-Worker | Supervisor routes PRs, workers specialize in areas |
| Debate/synthesis system | Peer-to-Peer | Multiple perspectives need equal voice |
| Customer support | Hybrid | Triage (supervisor) → specialized workers |
| Automated trading | Peer-to-Peer | Fast decisions, no single point of delay |
Hybrid Architectures
Many real-world systems combine patterns:
Example hybrid scenario:
- Supervisor assigns high-level tasks
- Managers coordinate their specialist teams
- Specialists use peer collaboration for complex decisions
Summary
| Pattern | Coordination | Best For | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hierarchical | Centralized (top-down) | Complex workflows | Rigid structure |
| Peer-to-Peer | Decentralized | Collaborative tasks | Unpredictable behavior |
| Supervisor-Worker | Centralized supervisor | Quality control | Supervisor bottleneck |
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