Cognition · Software component
Reactive Planner
Software componentCognitionCognition & Memoryarc:ReactivePlanner
A task planner that continuously replans from current observations instead of committing to a deliberative multi-level plan, suited to environments that change faster than planning completes.
Responsibility. Chooses the next actions from the latest observed state on each cycle.
Also known as: Reactive planning approach, Continuous replanning planner
Variant of Task Planner abstract
When to choose. Choose for highly dynamic domains where strategic decisions become invalid before tactical decomposition finishes, or where problem structure is undefined.
Relationships
reads dependency
alternative to variability
Design guidance
- SHOULD be preferred over hierarchical planning when world state changes faster than planning completes.
Quantitative guidance
As stated by the sources; verify before use.
- Example: delivery routing where traffic conditions change every 30 seconds (Ch5.4).
Classification
- Patterns
- Reactive planningContinuous replanning
- Quality attributes
- Flexibility (ISO/IEC 25010)Performance efficiency (ISO/IEC 25010)
- Risks mitigated
- Planning effort wasted on plans invalidated by rapid environmental change
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.