Assignment 4 – Examples of conflict management
Write a maximum of 300 words document to define and provide an example of the 5 strategies for team conflict
resolution. You are expected to demonstrate the application of these strategies to project management
environments.
According to the book, there 6 methods/techniques to manage or resolve conflicts: smoothing, forcing,
compromising, confronting, avoiding and negotiating. In this paper, I will discuss about 5 of them.
1. Smoothing – Smoothing is the technique that emphasizes the areas of agreement over the areas of the
difference, leading the members to a temporary consensus. This technique can be used when the easiest
way to the manager is to lead the parties to adopt sharing viewpoints on the issue since continuing the
conflicting conversation would cause more harm than good to the project.
Ex: When the project manager believes the problem is a minor issue and discuss it with the team can
cause demotivation, he/she decides to emphasize the good results and areas of agreement of the team
and thus accommodate one party to a temporary solution until next meeting.
2. Compromising – Compromising is the technique that lead all the conflicting parties to decide what they
will give on and what they won’t give on. After this “give and take” discussion, eventually the parties
can find a solution. This technique can be used when both parties are able to sacrifice minor requisites to
achieve an acceptable agreement that satisfies both of their interests.
Ex: A project manager can use this technique when a hazard happens, and the budget cannot
accommodate additional expenses. The parties have to decide what they can sacrifice to fix the problem
and continue working.
3. Forcing – One person, or party, forces their decision over the other parties. People are forced to go along
with the solution. The parties don’t need to agree with the solution. It is not a good technique to build a
team because there may negative consequences and parties may get demotivated.
Ex: The project manager knows information of the conflict and realized that this issue has already
happened in a previous project. Thus, the project manager forces the solution used previously over this
new demand of the team.
4. Confronting – It is the most productive technique to find a solution that is frequently permanent. The
parties go on a fact-finding mission that will bear out the solution according to the facts. Once the facts
reveal the solution, and it is not given by one of the parties, the agreement is stronger and easily
acceptable. This technique is often used within team members that trust each other and are compromised
to achieve a common goal.
Ex: The project manager helps the team to review all the facts that cause the conflict, one by one. Once
the facts are analyzed, the team can discuss which is the best solution to solve the conflict without harm
the pace of work.
5. Negotiating – This is the technique that involves communication skills and maturity of the team
members. In good teams, the members are able to negotiate with each other and thus avoid the
escalation of a conflict. Sometimes a third person that is neutral regarding the project is used to lead the
conversation and help the parties to find a solution.
Ex: The team is mature and knows which activities/deliveries can be negotiated. Bargain is a must have
on this method.