Project Management & Team Conflict Resolution

by Tara Duggan, Demand Media

Managing conflict on project teams usually involves establishing policies and procedures for handling disputes. The project manager typically creates the project plan to define the requirements of the project. She solicits input from team members to validate expectations, cost estimates, timing and requirements. During the planning, monitoring, controlling and closing processes, experienced project managers expect inevitable conflict. This may even contribute to productive team discussions. Still, when conflict distracts team members from achieving project milestones, the project manager needs to step in and rectify the situation.

Establishing Requirements to Avoid Conflict Later

When the project requirements are vague, producing a successful product or service becomes more difficult. An effective project manager takes the time to complete a stakeholder analysis that identifies the business need for the project. After she develops a project charter and establishes a preliminary project scope, she validates her assumptions with the sponsors and stakeholders. Doing this at the beginning of the project tends to prevent major conflicts later on. Changing requirements at the beginning of a project costs less than waiting until later in the project life cycle when the impact increases.

Minimizing Conflict Among Team Members

When roles and responsibilities are unclear, conflict often arises. To prevent two project team members from bickering over who should complete a project task, effective project managers generate comprehensive work breakdown structures that define project tasks and assigned resources. By referring to the approved project plan in status meetings, the project manager keeps the team focused on achieving the project goals, not arguing over who should complete work.

Setting Standards for Conduct

Managing conflict improperly causes business partnerships, team relationships and interpersonal connections to break down. Ignoring conflict just prolongs the problem. By recognizing the roles people play, the project manager can help project teams resolve problems quickly and get back to project work. Effective project managers discourage inappropriate actions, such as the use of aggressive behavior against other team members, behaving like a victim to receive attention and unwillingly accepting responsibility for problems. If everyone maintains a level of honesty, integrity and trust, completing project tasks becomes easier. Effective project managers conduct team-building exercises, such as games and contests, to motivate employees and create a more cohesive working environment that reduces the occurrence of petty conflicts.

Handling Conflicts Effectively

The first step in conflict resolution involves getting the parties involved to agree to the nature of the problem. By defining the problem, the project manager can assess the amount of time and effort that needs to go into fixing it. Looking at case studies usually helps employees to develop the skills and knowledge to use techniques to smooth over and avoid conflict so that work can resume.

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