Agent Atlas

Satisficing

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Satisficing

Satisficing is Simon’s term for decision methods that look for good or satisfactory solutions instead of optimal ones. Such methods search for an alternative that meets specified standards of acceptability. Simon motivates it with two practical problems. It is hard to generate and compare all alternatives, and the best one cannot be recognized until all have been seen. (Chapter 5, printed pp. 119–121)1

Uses in the literature

In design, acceptability can be expressed as inequalities, meaning specifications of satisfactory performance, rather than as maxima and minima. A solution can meet these criteria without being optimal. (Chapter 5, printed p. 119)1 Simon’s administrative account similarly contrasts an administrator seeking a satisfactory course of action with an idealized maximizer. (Commentary on Chapter V, printed pp. 118–119)2

Satisficing is a response to Bounded rationality, not a synonym for it: the latter describes limits on decision-making, while satisficing describes a way of choosing under such limits. It is not arbitrary corner-cutting; criteria must still be met. A heuristic that seeks a better result need not use a satisficing stopping rule. Simon does not recommend foregoing an optimum when it is equally accessible. (Chapter 5, printed pp. 119–121)1

Operational example

As an illustrative agent design, search for a meeting slot satisfying every participant’s availability and a stated deadline; stop when one is verified. Record the criteria, candidates inspected, and stop reason. If none qualifies before the search budget expires, report failure to find an acceptable option rather than calling the last candidate satisfactory. This can be implemented by a Policy, but the concept does not require a POMDP.

Footnotes

  1. Simon, Herbert A. The Sciences of the Artificial. Third edition. MIT Press, 1996. ISBN 9780262193740 (hardcover). Publisher page, paperback ISBN 9780262691918. Inspected Chapter 5, printed pp. 119–121 (PDF pp. 131–133). ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  2. Simon, Herbert A. Administrative Behavior: A Study of Decision-Making Processes in Administrative Organizations. Fourth edition. The Free Press, 1997. ISBN 9780684835822. Publisher edition. Inspected Commentary on Chapter V, printed pp. 118–119 (PDF p. 68, a two-page spread). ↩

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