Chapter 3, Problem 1E

Explain why problem formulation must follow goal formulation.

Explanation of Solution

Goal formulation and problem formulation:

• Goal formulation:
  • This is a technique for an agent to conclude which goals need to be achieved.
  • The most complicated task during goal formulation is to develop representations for agents to reason about and find out when the new goals need to be formulated due to plan failures or opportunities.
• Problem formulation:
  • In this technique, the problem is precisely defined and the definition should also comprise of precise specification of the initial situation as well the final situation with acceptable solutions to the problem.
  • The major step is to select the best problem-solving technique and apply it to the particular problem.
• When it comes to goal formulation, user gets to decide which aspects of the world we are interested in, and which can be ignored or abstracted away.
• In problem formulation, it is decided how to manipulate the important aspects.
• If the problem formulation is performed before goal formation then it is not possible to know what to include and what to exclude.
• There may be a cycle of iterations between goal formulation, problem formulation, and problem solving until one arrives at a sufficiently useful and efficient solution.