Module 7 – Multi-Agent Orchestration

Learning outcomes

Design coordinated agent systems using managers, agents-as-tools, handoffs, and specialized workers.

Patterns

• Manager pattern: one orchestrator retains control and calls specialists as tools.
• Handoff pattern: control transfers to a specialist that becomes responsible for the next part of the interaction.
• Parallel workers: independent subtasks run concurrently and their results are merged.
• Reviewer pattern: a separate evaluator checks evidence, tests, policy, and completeness.

Design rules

Use the smallest number of agents necessary. Define each agent’s purpose, allowed tools, input/output schema, completion condition, and escalation path. Shared context should be minimal and explicit. More agents increase coordination cost, latency, and failure modes.

Lab 7

Build a manager with three specialists: repository analyst, implementation planner, and security reviewer. The manager must produce one structured final plan containing evidence from all three.