Agentic AI Reference Architecture

Cognition · Software component

Goal Refiner

Software componentCognitionCognition & Memoryarc:GoalRefiner

A cognition component that interprets a vague user request, possibly through clarifying dialogue, into a structured goal with measurable success criteria, scope and timeline.

Responsibility. Transforms vague user intentions into structured, measurable planning goals.

Also known as: Goal formulation, Goal refinement

invokesreceives data fromwritesLLM Inference Service: invokesLLM Inference ServiceConversational (Chat) Interface: receives data fromConversational (Chat) In…Goal Specification: writesGoal Specification
Direct neighbourhood (hover for relationship types)

Relationships

invokes dependency

writes dependency

receives data from dynamic

Design guidance

Classification

Patterns
Clarifying dialogueMeta-goal decomposition
Quality attributes
Functional suitability: correctness and validity (ISO/IEC 25010 | NIST AI RMF: valid)Interaction capability (ISO/IEC 25010)
Risks mitigated
Planning against vague, unmeasurable goals

Sources

  1. Ch5.4: T. Nguyen, "Hierarchical Planning Fundamentals," in Mastering Agentic AI Systems: Guide for the NVIDIA NCP-AAI Exam, 1st ed. 2026, ch. 5.4. ISBN: 9798244538229.