All of these aspects must be addressed and put on the table right from the start. Conflict-Resolution methodologies can be used to persuade people that form roadblocks between the group members and the successful completion of the project. A successful project manger knows that it is healthy to encourage functional conflict. This is akin to a person playing the part of the 'devils advocate'. Prioritization and trade-offs play and important part in any decision making process. The primary goal of the group is to stay focused on what they feel is the most important aspect to complete the task successfully. A much more challenging task involves the mediation of Dysfunctional conflict. The following is a checklist that a director might entertain when faced with an undesirable conflict:
1) Mediate the conflict - try to negotiate a resolution by using persuasion and reasoning
2) Arbitrate the conflict - impose a resolution after getting input from all parties
3) Control the conflict - reduce conflict intensity by smoothing over differences or injecting humor
4) Accept it - something you must try and live with. Try not to make it a distraction
5) Eliminate the conflict - In some cases where the conflict can not be resolved or tolerated, certain members might have to be removed from the project (118-119)
