Task Decomposition

Complex tasks often fail because they're too big. Decomposition breaks them into smaller, manageable subtasks that AI can handle reliably.

The Problem with Complex Prompts

Decomposition Strategies

Horizontal (Parallel Subtasks)

Vertical (Sequential Dependencies)

Exercise: Decompose a Complex Task

Subtask Prompt Design

Each subtask should be:

• Focused - One clear objective
• Complete - Contains all needed context
• Independent - Minimal dependencies when possible
• Verifiable - Clear success criteria

Combining Results

After decomposition, you need integration:

Exercise: Design a Decomposition Flow

When to Decompose

Decompose when:

• Task has multiple distinct parts
• Output would exceed quality limits
• Different parts need different expertise
• Results need to be consistent across sections

Don't decompose when:

• Task is simple and focused
• Parts are highly interdependent
• Overhead of combining outweighs benefits

Practice: Decomposition Planning

Decomposition turns impossible tasks into achievable workflows.