Effective task collaboration is crucial for complex projects. This article explores building a hierarchical multi-agent crew to achieve enhanced collaboration. We examine the design and implementation of a system where agents, organized hierarchically, cooperate efficiently. This approach leverages individual agent strengths for optimized task completion, resulting in improved overall performance and reduced redundancy. We delve into the key challenges and solutions involved in building such a system.
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Setup: Loading and Defining Agents
- Load YAML files for multi-agents and multi-cab task.
- Customer Support Agent (manager), Technical Support Engineer, and Returns Assistant.
- Customer Support Agent delegates tasks, Technical Support Engineer uses Search tool, Returns Assistant uses various tools for documentation retrieval.
Setup: Loading and Defining Agents -
Structure: Defining the Hierarchical Crew
- Define hierarchical process in Collab Notebook, allowing for task delegation from the manager agent (Customer Support Agent) to worker agents (Technical Support Engineer and Returns Assistant).
- Add planning and memory to the crew definition.
Structure: Defining the Hierarchical Crew -
Execution: Running the Crew
- Kick off the crew with a customer inquiry.
Execution: Running the Crew
Tips
- Multiple runs might be needed to achieve a quality response due to potential issues with Crew AI's delegation tool.
- Expect potential issues with agents properly delegating tasks and the delegation tool in Crew AI; improvements are needed.
- The hierarchical process with a manager agent improves task handling compared to a sequential process.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Ignoring Communication Bottlenecks
Reason: Hierarchical structures can create communication bottlenecks if information flow isn't carefully designed. Lower-level agents might lack the information they need to make effective decisions, or higher-level agents might be overwhelmed with unnecessary detail.
Solution: Implement efficient communication protocols and information filtering mechanisms to ensure relevant information reaches the right agents at the right time.
2. Overly Rigid Hierarchy
Reason: A strictly hierarchical structure can hinder adaptability. Agents might be unable to react effectively to unexpected situations or changing task requirements if they lack the autonomy to deviate from predefined roles.
Solution: Incorporate mechanisms for agents to dynamically adjust their roles and responsibilities based on contextual needs, allowing for flexible task allocation and execution.