# What is Multi-Agent Orchestration? Definition & Technical Mechanics

> **Source:** [SPIDITS AI AI Glossary](https://spidits.com/ai-glossary)  
> **Category:** Agentic Systems  
> **Canonical Citation:** [https://spidits.com/ai-glossary/multi-agent-orchestration](https://spidits.com/ai-glossary/multi-agent-orchestration)

## Definition
Multi-Agent Orchestration is the protocol framework that defines how multiple specialized AI agents communicate, delegate sub-tasks, exchange context, and collaborate sequentially or hierarchically to achieve a collective goal.

## Architectural Mechanics & Deep Dive
Multi-agent orchestration is the management and coordination of multiple autonomous AI agents operating in tandem. Orchestration frameworks manage task delegation, define communication protocols between agents, handle execution dependencies, and compile final outputs, enabling complex collaborative tasks like automated software engineering.

## Industry Applications & Real-World Use Cases
Complex multi-role development environments, agent workflow management, and supervisor-worker models.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is a supervisor-worker orchestration pattern?
A pattern where a central manager agent plans the work, assigns tasks to sub-agents, collects results, and reviews final quality.

### How do agents pass state in multi-agent orchestration?
Through shared state memory graphs, message brokers, or nested function calls that forward context histories.

## Related Terminology
- [multi-agent-system](https://spidits.com/ai-glossary/multi-agent-system)
- [orchestration-layer](https://spidits.com/ai-glossary/orchestration-layer)
- [ai-agent](https://spidits.com/ai-glossary/ai-agent)

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*From the SPIDITS AI Knowledge Base (336+ terms indexed). Explore full technical definitions: [https://spidits.com/ai-glossary](https://spidits.com/ai-glossary)*