Cognition · Data artifact

Goal Specification

Data artifactCognitionCognition & Memoryarc:GoalSpecification

A shared, asynchronously updatable specification of the target state or outcome an agent's current plan must achieve (e.g., delivery address).

Responsibility. States the planning objective and its success criteria.

Also known as: High-level goal, Root task, Shared task specification, Goal state

Direct neighbourhood (hover for relationship types)

Relationships

is read by dependency

Replanner abstract Ch5.6
Task Planner abstract Ch5.4 Ch5.6

is written by dependency

Goal Refiner Ch5.4

receives data from dynamic

End User Ch5.6

is monitored by assurance

Plan Deviation Monitor Ch5.6

Design guidance

SHOULD state what must be achieved, with measurable success criteria, scope and timeline, without prescribing how.
SHOULD be monitored during execution so goal changes cause the in-progress plan to be abandoned immediately.

Classification

Risks mitigated: Executing obsolete plans after goal changes

Sources

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.
Ch5.6: T. Nguyen, "A* Search and Replaning," in Mastering Agentic AI Systems: Guide for the NVIDIA NCP-AAI Exam, 1st ed. 2026, ch. 5.6. ISBN: 9798244538229.