Breaking Down Tasks (Task Decomposition) › Glossary

Task Decomposition: The process of breaking down a complex goal or request into smaller, specific, actionable subtasks. This makes large problems more manageable and ensures nothing important gets overlooked.

Subtask: An individual, concrete step within a larger task. Good subtasks are specific enough to be directly actionable and are arranged in a logical order.

Sequential Dependency: When one subtask must be completed before another can begin. For example, you must choose a destination before you can book a hotel there.

Parallel Tasks: Subtasks that can be completed in any order or simultaneously because they don't depend on each other. For example, checking the weather and checking your calendar can happen in any sequence.

Plan: An ordered list of subtasks that, when completed in sequence, accomplish a larger goal. The plan is the output of task decomposition.