Question

Consider one of the three conflict scenarios. For the selected conflict scenario, you and your team must:

1. Identify the source of the conflict
2. Identify 2 -3 conflict resolution strategies
3. Discuss each strategy and select the best
4. Share your resolution strategy with the class.

Scenario 1. As the project manager of a software development project, you included your team in the development of the project schedule. Tim – one of your programmers is scheduled to complete the coding of a program module in 3 days. Tim has just informed you that he will be at least 7 days late. You have informed Tim that the delay is unacceptable. It will severely handicap your ability to deliver the solution to the customer by the contractually required deadline. Tim explains he is firmly committed to your project, as well as three others and he must meet their commitments as well. Tim is sympathetic to your needs, but he won’t budge.

Scenario 2. It is time for your weekly project meeting. You can’t help but notice that Jasmine always sits as far away from Luis as possible. Every time Luis speaks, Jasmine seems to roll her eyes and grimace. Luis seems quite unaware of Jasmine’s contempt. In fact, Luis seems quite unaware of Jasmine. Luis likes to discuss the outstanding contributions he makes to the project week after week. The fact is that Luis is a very valuable contributor. So is Jasmine. Lately, it seems that Jasmine is reaching the boiling point.  

Scenario 3. As the project manager of a building construction project you must implement some important change orders to your contract. The change orders were requested by the customer and the customer is willing to pay the additional expense. However, the changes are also time critical and any delay will result in making a substantial number of contracted laborers idle pending approval to implement the changes. Your contracting officer wants to help, but she informs you that there are strict procedures that must be followed in order to implement a contract change. She asks you to obtain several signed documents from the customer.   She is also initiating a legal review. You know that other contracting officers have achieved these types of changes expediently in the past.

Answer 1

Scenario -1

1. The source of conflict in this case is organizational conflict. The project manager is keeping track of the project schedule. One of the programmers, Tim, had to complete his coding in 3 days. However Tim is running late and claims that the module will be 7 days late. The delay is unacceptable to the project manager. Tim claims that he is handling 3 projects and needs to devote his time equally to each and hence he does not have any option. This workload difference led to the conflict.

2. Some of the conflict resolution strategies in this case are:

· Compromising: The project manager compromises on Tim’s module while the rest of the project goes timely

· Competing: The project manager uses his power to force Tim to finish the project by working overtime

· Collaboration: The project manager, Tim and other programmers sit together and collaborate to find a way out in this situation

3. The best conflict resolution strategy in this case will be the collaboration resolution. The project manager can sit with Tim and other programmers and discuss the issue. Tim’s work can be distributed among the available resources so that the project gets finished as per schedule. Tim also agrees to work overtime and help the other programmers in this regard. This way, the project will get completely timely.