The Project Management Tool Kit: 100 Tips and Techniques for Getting the Job Done Right

Overall Methods

Detect conflicts early and deal with problems while they are still small. Probe for information using open-ended questions, seeking to understand the source of the disagreement.

Conflict management modes include forcing (imposing unity through authority), withdrawing (moving on to other work without resolution), smoothing (minimizing conflict by improving interpersonal relationships), confrontation, and compromise. For teams that must work together throughout a project, only the last two are effective in the long term. Sometimes it is not possible to resolve conflicts in ways that everyone prefers, so successful resolution often involves seeking a “third way,” different from the initial ideas held by team members but acceptable ...