An intent decomposition method includes sending, by a first network device, a first sub-intent target value to a second network device. The method also includes receiving, by the first network device, a first message from the second network device. The first message is used to indicate that the first sub-intent target value is not achieved by the second device. The first message includes a first measurement value of the second network device. The method further includes re-decomposing, by the first network device, an intent based on the first measurement value, and sending first sub-intent target values obtained through re-decomposition to the second network device and one or more other network devices different from the first network device and the second network device until all the first sub-intent target values obtained through re-decomposition are achieved or none of the first sub-intent target values obtained through re-decomposition are achieved.