- Analyze the conflict
- Determine management strategy
- Pre-negotiation
- Negotiation
- Post-negotiation
Step 1: Analyze the conflict.The first step in managing conflict is to analyze the nature and type of conflict. To do this, you'll find it helpful to ask questions.
Answers may come from your own experience, your partners or local media coverage. You may want to actually interview some of the groups involved. Additional information regarding analyzing conflicts can be found in the Guide to Information and Resources.
Step 2: Determine management strategy.Once you have a general understanding of the conflict, the groups involved will need to analyze and select the most appropriate strategy. In some cases it may be necessary to have a neutral facilitator to help move the groups toward consensus.
Step 3: Pre-negotiation.To set the stage for effective negotiation, the groundwork must be laid. The following should occur prior to negotiation.
Step 4: Negotiation.
Interests - When negotiating be sure to openly discuss interests, rather than stated positions. Interests include the reasons, needs, concerns and motivations underlying positions. Satisfaction of interests should be the common goal.
Options - To resolve conflicts, concentrate on inventing options for satisfying interests. Do not judge ideas or favor any of the options suggested. Encourage creativity, not commitment.
Evaluation - Only after the partners have finished listing options, should the options be discussed. Determine together which ideas are best for satisfying various interests.
Written agreement - Document areas of agreement and disagreement to ensure common understanding. This helps ensure that agreements can be remembered and communicated clearly. Commitment - Every partner must be confident that the others will carry out their parts of the agreement. Discuss and agree upon methods to ensure partners understand and honor their commitments.
Step 5: Post-negotiation.Once negotiation is complete, the group will need to implement the decisions made. Some key steps include:
