In each of the following four scenarios, you discover a potential (or actual) conflict early in your project's life cycle. In as concise a manner as possible, describe how you would attempt to lessen the negative impact of each conflict scenario.
In each scenario, assume that the client is an internal company client.
Grading will be based upon my assessment of how the following items are factored into your responses:
- Likelihood of mitigating the conflict
- Sensitivity to the human dynamic (even toward the offender)
- Clarity of the response
Scenario #1 - You have received a new project assignment. You perceive that there is tension between two valuable and scarce resources assigned to your project. The resources begin to have a heated exchange during your project kick-off meeting. How would you address this issue and prevent future occurrences?
Scenario #2 - During a project kick-off meeting a project manager from the client's organization begins to ask your resources for commitment dates. You don't believe the requirements are developed well enough to discuss a timeline. Your team begins to make premature timeline commitments. How would you address this issue and prevent future occurrences?
Scenario #3 - One of the technical resources assigned to your project is using your project meeting to debate technical solutions. This is keeping you from developing the project timeline. How would you address this issue and prevent future occurrences?
Scenario #4 - Your client attends your project meeting in order to discern who is assigned to which role on the project. After leaving the meeting the client begins to contact your resources individually in order to get independent commitments from them. You learn of this from one of your project resources. How would you address this issue and prevent future occurrences?