Direct answer
Resolve project conflict by diagnosing its source, selecting a response, facilitating evidence-based discussion, and protecting outcomes.
What to know
- Conflict can reveal useful differences in assumptions or priorities.
- Collaboration is strong when time and relationships permit.
- Compromise, smoothing, forcing, and withdrawal have context-specific uses.
- Ethics, safety, or urgent authority can require decisive action.
How to apply it
Meet the parties, clarify facts and interests, establish shared goals, and agree on an action with ownership and follow-up.
Worked example
Two specialists disagree about architecture. Facilitate a comparison against requirements, risks, and test evidence instead of choosing based on seniority.
Common mistakes
- Treating every conflict as a personality problem.
- Using collaboration when an immediate safety stop is required.
- Smoothing over an issue that will return.
Exam and practice connection
Select the response that fits urgency, importance, authority, and the need for a durable outcome.