CONFLICT MANAGEMENT IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Conflict Management is the practice of recognizing and dealing with disputes in a rational, balanced and effective way. Conflict management implemented within a business environment usually involves effective communication, problem resolving abilities and good negotiating skills to restore the focus to the company’s overall goals.
Some sources of conflict include:

• Conflict over project priorities
• Conflict over administrative procedures
• Conflict over technical options and Performance trade-offs
• Conflict over schedules
• Personality conflict 
• And many others

Where conflict management is applied:

• Develop team
• Manage team
• Develop project charter
• Develop a management plan
• Manage stakeholders engagement
• Manage project communications.

Techniques/Modes of Conflict Resolution

There are five general techniques for resolving conflict. Each technique has its place and use:
1)Withdraw/avoid. Retreating from an actual or potential conflict situation; postponing the issue to be better prepared or to be resolved by others. This style is appropriate when a “cooling off” period is needed to gain a better understanding of the conflict situation and also when the other party involved in the conflicts is both unassertive and uncooperative.
EFFECT: Does not solve the problem
2)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.
EFFECT: Provides an only short-term solution
3)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.
EFFECT: Does provides definitive resolution
4)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 in a win-lose situation.
EFFECT: Hard feelings may come back in other forms
5)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.
EFFECT: Provides long-term resolution
 

Written by Jumoke Akinrele