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Verification & Testing: Control 2.17 - Multi-Agent Orchestration Limits

Last Updated: January 2026

Manual Verification Steps

Test 1: Verify Delegation Depth Enforcement

  1. Identify a multi-agent orchestration chain
  2. Trigger a request that would exceed depth limit
  3. EXPECTED: Request blocked at depth limit with appropriate message

Test 2: Test Circuit Breaker Activation

  1. Simulate failures in a delegated agent (e.g., disable temporarily)
  2. Send multiple requests through orchestrating agent
  3. EXPECTED: Circuit breaker opens after failure threshold; further calls blocked

Test 3: Test Circuit Breaker Reset

  1. After circuit breaker opens, wait for reset timeout
  2. Send new request
  3. EXPECTED: Circuit attempts half-open state; successful call closes circuit

Test 4: Test Timeout Enforcement

  1. Configure a delegated agent to respond slowly (>timeout)
  2. Trigger orchestration through primary agent
  3. EXPECTED: Call times out; appropriate error returned

Test 5: Test HITL Checkpoint (Zone 3)

  1. Trigger a sensitive operation requiring HITL
  2. EXPECTED: Flow pauses for human approval
  3. Approve and verify flow continues

Test 6: Test HITL Timeout Escalation

  1. Trigger HITL checkpoint
  2. Do not approve within timeout period
  3. EXPECTED: Escalation occurs per configured procedure

Test Cases

Test ID Scenario Expected Result Pass/Fail
TC-2.17-01 Depth limit exceeded Request blocked
TC-2.17-02 Circuit breaker opens on failures Further calls blocked
TC-2.17-03 Circuit breaker resets Calls resume after reset
TC-2.17-04 Call timeout enforced Timeout error returned
TC-2.17-05 HITL checkpoint pauses flow Approval required
TC-2.17-06 HITL timeout triggers escalation Escalation occurs
TC-2.17-07 Orchestration events logged Events in audit log

Evidence Collection Checklist

Architecture Documentation

  • Document: Multi-agent orchestration architecture diagram
  • Document: Delegation depth limits by zone
  • Document: Circuit breaker configuration

Depth Limit Enforcement

  • Screenshot: Depth limit check in agent topic
  • Screenshot: Blocked request due to depth limit
  • Log: Audit entry for depth limit violation

Circuit Breaker

  • Document: Circuit breaker configuration (thresholds, timeouts)
  • Screenshot: Circuit breaker activation evidence
  • Log: Circuit breaker state changes

HITL Checkpoints

  • Screenshot: HITL checkpoint configuration
  • Screenshot: Approval request interface
  • Log: HITL approval/escalation events

Monitoring

  • Screenshot: Monitoring dashboard for orchestration metrics
  • Screenshot: Alert configuration
  • Log: Sample alert notification

Evidence Artifact Naming Convention

Control-2.17_[ArtifactType]_[YYYYMMDD].[ext]

Examples:
- Control-2.17_OrchestrationArchitecture_20260115.png
- Control-2.17_DepthLimitTest_20260115.png
- Control-2.17_CircuitBreakerConfig_20260115.pdf
- Control-2.17_HITLApproval_20260115.png

Attestation Statement Template

## Control 2.17 Attestation - Multi-Agent Orchestration Limits

**Organization:** [Organization Name]
**Control Owner:** [Name/Role]
**Date:** [Date]

I attest that:

1. Multi-agent orchestration patterns are documented
2. Delegation depth limits are enforced per zone:
   - Zone 1: 0 (no delegation)
   - Zone 2: 2 levels maximum
   - Zone 3: 3 levels maximum
3. Circuit breakers are configured for all orchestrating agents
4. HITL checkpoints are implemented for sensitive Zone 3 operations
5. Monitoring and alerting is active for orchestration events
6. Testing has verified all controls function as expected

**Orchestrating Agents:** [Number]
**Last Test Date:** [Date]

**Signature:** _______________________
**Date:** _______________________

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