Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Conflicts (Marked)
Conflicts (Marked)
Conflict may take many types, depending on the characters of the teammates. It
The Project Management Institute, Inc., (2008:239) advises that ‘Conflict should be
[A conflict is a situation when the interests, needs, goals or values of the project stakeholders interfere with one
another. The cause of conflict in team projects can be related to differences in values, attitudes, needs, expectations,
perceptions, resources, and personalities.]
Conflict in Project Management 5
Holahan and Mooney (2004:1) believe that conflict can be constructive when it ‘enables
teams to generate higher quality decisions’ [where both parties agree to reach a mutual
agreement about their conflicts.], and may become destructive when team members
If the management is not aware to the importance of the conflict and its reasons, the
constructive conflict may change to be a destructive one ‘to manage conflict, teams
must learn how to promote constructive conflict without triggering destructive conflict’
know how to communicate with others and to be able to resolve your conflicts.
Sometimes, difficult decisions have to be made, including leaving your current work
in case there was no way to resolve the conflicts which may lead to biased
Confronting (or Collaborating): where both parties meet and discuss their disagreement
and tend more to resolve their conflict. The attitude of this mode is a win-win situation
where both parties agree to reach a mutual agreement about their conflicts. [The party
who works and finds a solution that satisfies the concerns of all people involved. They are not
only assertive but also take into considerations everyone’s viewpoint. This style is a very good
way to handle and manage conflicts.]
Forcing (Competing, Being Assertive): in this mode, one party shall impose his
solution on the other party. Normally, it happens when there is no agreement, and
one party has the power over the other one. This mode guides to win-lose situation
where one of the parties reaches to dis- satisfaction. [This style is very useful when
there is an emergency, and a decision is needed to be made fast. But there is a risk of
creating resentment if this style is misused.]
Conflict Resolution Modes 10
Win-leave
Win-win
Win-win