Test a multi-agent handoff against a single-agent baseline

Multiple agents add handoffs, duplicated context and coordination failure. They should be compared with a simpler single-agent or workflow design on the same acceptance tests.

Preserve a no-selection result

The agent controls lab uses authored outcomes.

from agent_cases import multi_agent_case

result = multi_agent_case()
assert result["eligible"] == []
assert result["selected"] is None
assert result["agent_runtime_executed"] is False
print(result["decision"])

The single fixture passes 17/20 at cost 4.2; multi passes 18/20 at 10.4. The gate requires 18 passes and cost at most 8, so neither wins. These are not live-agent results.

Define the handoff benefit

Use multiple agents only when specialisation, parallel independent work or adversarial review could improve a named failure. Give each a typed input/output, limited tools and clear owner. Preserve user authority across handoffs.

Compare task success, critical invariants, tool/model calls, tokens, latency, cost, handoff loss and recovery. Inspect whether the receiving agent gets evidence and constraints rather than a lossy prose summary.

Test simpler alternatives

Compare with one agent using tools, a deterministic workflow and parallel functions. Complexity can be rejected even when quality rises slightly. If multi-agent wins, bound delegation and trace every branch.

The Generative & Agentic AI course treats multi-agent design as an evaluated option, not a default deliverable.

Exercise

Run single and multi-agent candidates on 30 cases with identical tools and model. Predeclare quality and cost gates, report handoff failures and retain no-selection as a valid outcome.

Continue learning

This article is part of the Agent workflows and state sequence. Use the neighbouring tasks when you need the prerequisite or the next application.

• Review the prerequisite or neighbouring task in Agent memory: separate facts, preferences and temporary state.
• Continue with Bound delegation depth and tool-call volume.

Reference: Microsoft AutoGen documentation.