Definition · architectures
delegation
delegation is the term for Giving a task or limited power to another person or agent. You can spot delegation in practice when the record shows what the system observes, what choice it makes, and what changes next, without asking the reader to guess or trust a slogan.
157 definitions656 sourced recordsNamed source: ACL Anthology
Why does delegation matter?
Good delegation states the result, boundaries, evidence, and return path so the receiver does not have to guess. For delegation, start with three checks: Who chooses the next step? Where does state live between steps? Who owns recovery when a step fails? The answers should point to visible evidence, not a promise.
What does delegation look like?
A lead agent asks a worker to compare three contracts and return clause citations without contacting vendors. This example makes delegation visible by naming the actor, the action, and the result in practice. It is an illustration for readers, not a claim that every product behaves this way.
What is delegation easy to confuse with?
Delegation passes work or limited power. A handoff passes control or duty during an active process. The closest entries here are base workflow, direct planning, escalation. Compare their definitions with delegation before using the names as if they mean the same thing. That comparison keeps delegation separate from nearby ideas without pretending the boundary is always perfect.
How certain is this definition?
This definition is provisional. ACL Anthology supports the version you see today, but a better or more direct source may change it. Open the cited page and check its date before you use this entry to choose a product, write a policy, set a safety control, or design a system.
Who introduced the term delegation?
We have not verified who first introduced delegation. The source supports a useful definition, but it may not be the earliest use. Until a dated primary record settles the question, we leave the origin open. A popular article or product page is not enough to name the person who coined a term.
What should you understand before delegation?
Read agent workflow first when delegation depends on a more basic idea or mechanism. The link gives you a useful route through the glossary. It does not mean every author teaches the subject in this order, so follow the source when the sequence matters.
What should this term help you answer?
Use delegation to ask what an agent can observe, decide, change, remember, or hand off. The questions below turn the definition into a practical check. They are prompts for your own work, not claims made by the source, so change them to fit the system you are examining.
- Who chooses the next step?
- Where does state live between steps?
- Who owns recovery when a step fails?
Which source supports this definition of delegation?
ACL Anthology supports this working definition of delegation. We checked the link on 2026-07-12. Open the original record for its context, methods, limits, and publication details. The short explanation here is a guide to delegation; the linked source remains the evidence to inspect when the wording or boundary matters.
source founddelegationChecked 2026-07-12→