Sequential and parallel processing in agentic workflows
The efficiency and effectiveness of an intelligent agent system often depend on how well it can manage multiple tasks and processes. This section explores two primary approaches to workflow management in agent systems: sequential and parallel processing.
Sequential processing
Sequential processing involves handling tasks in a defined order, where each step depends on the completion of previous steps. In our travel agent system, sequential processing is crucial for tasks that require strict ordering, such as the following:
- Flight and hotel coordination:
- Confirming flight availability before booking hotels
- Ensuring transfer services align with arrival times
- Validating visa requirements before finalizing bookings
- Payment processing:
- Verifying fund availability
- Processing the payment
- Confirming bookings
- Sending confirmation documents
The following figure shows a straightforward sequential processing workflow for...