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Hierarchical Task Network (HTN) Planning
Automated planning approach that decomposes complex tasks into hierarchically structured networks of simpler tasks using domain knowledge
In 30 seconds
- What
- Decomposes complex tasks into hierarchical networks of subtasks using domain rules, refining abstract tasks into executable primitives.
- When to use
- Multi-stage problems with known decomposition patterns, where intermediate task structure improves planning reliability and reusability.
- Watch out
- Requires extensive upfront domain modeling; brittle when real-world constraints deviate from the predefined task hierarchy.
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Hierarchical Task Network (HTN) Planning: Overview
Automated planning approach that decomposes complex tasks into hierarchically structured networks of simpler tasks using domain knowledge
- Hierarchical task decomposition
- Domain knowledge integration
- Multi-level task abstraction
- Dependency constraint management
- Primitive and compound task handling
- Method-based task refinement
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Also known as: HTN planner, Hierarchical task networks, Task network planning
References
The papers, specifications, and repositories this pattern is based on.
- An Overview of Hierarchical Task Network Planning (ArXiv 2014)arXiv:1403.7426
- HTN planning: Overview, comparison, and beyond (ScienceDirect 2015)
- Hierarchical Task Network Planning for Facilitating Cooperative Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning (ArXiv 2023)arXiv:2306.08359
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