Conflict Management Strategies:
Conflict is inevitable in a project environment.If managed properly, differences of opinion can lead to increased creativity and better decisions.
Sources of conflict include
- scarce resources,
- scheduling priorities,
- personal work styles.
If the differences become a negative factor, the process could be:
- project team members are initially responsible for their resolution.
- the project manager should help facilitate a satisfactory resolution
- formal procedures may be used, including disciplinary actions
Factors that influence conflict resolution methods include:
- Importance and intensity of the conflict,
- Time pressure for resolving the conflict,
- Relative power of the people involved in the conflict,
- Importance of maintaining a good relationship,
- Motivation to resolve conflict on a long-term or short-term basis.
Five techniques for resolving conflict. (Each technique has its place and use):
Withdraw/avoid. Retreating from an actual or potential conflict situation; postponing the issue to be better prepared or to be resolved by others.
Smooth/accommodate. Emphasizing areas of agreement rather than areas of difference; conceding one’s position to the needs of others to maintain harmony and relationships.
Compromise/reconcile. Searching for solutions that bring some degree of satisfaction to all parties in order to temporarily or partially resolve the conflict. This approach occasionally results in a lose-lose situation.
Force/direct. Pushing one’s viewpoint at the expense of others; offering only win-lose solutions, usually enforced through a power position to resolve an emergency. This approach often results to a win-lose situation.
Collaborate/problem solve. Incorporating multiple viewpoints and insights from differing perspectives; requires a cooperative attitude and open dialogue that typically leads to consensus and commitment. This approach can result in a win-win situation.
