Project teams are at odds over a shared goal. How do you navigate conflicting opinions to reach a resolution?

Individual Interviews: Conduct private discussions with each team member involved in the conflict. Actively listen to their concerns, perspectives, and reasoning behind their opinions. Identify Underlying Interests: Look beyond the surface-level disagreements to uncover the underlying interests and needs that are driving each team member's position. Analyze Data: Gather relevant data and information related to the conflicting opinions. This could include project requirements, resource constraints, or technical limitations.

Ensure that goals align with the project's vision to minimize conflict and enhance collaboration. Use workshops for brainstorming and developing mutually acceptable solutions. Encourage open and honest communication about concerns. Identify root causes by asking "why" to address underlying issues. Apply structured discussions and mediation techniques to resolve conflicts. Promote collaboration and compromise among team members. Provide training in conflict resolution skills, and document agreements and follow up to ensure effective resolution and maintain team harmony.

To resolve conflict: Facilitate open dialogue; ensure all voices are heard. Identify the root cause of disagreement. Highlight common goals to unify the team. Explore compromises or alternative solutions. Consider external facilitation if deadlock persists. Make a decision that aligns with project objectives. Communicate clearly and support the team moving forward. Navigating conflict requires empathy, clarity, and a focus on common goals to achieve resolution.

Once you've spoken to all involved members individually, it is time to set aside some time to gather everyone together to voice their views and move towards resolving the conflict. Depending on the amount of time you have- you can time the session accordingly. Carefully make notes of the key discussion points and if any kind of agreement has been reached.

This is a very common situation as project managers will have their specific goals and will look to a common goal from their own perspective, with their own constraints. A program manager in this situation must promote an open discussion, where the different opinions are shared and different solutions are assessed. Bring experts to the conversation and I'm sure together, you will find a good solution for the program and projects. Probably not all project managers will be happy with the solution. This is not a question of make project managers happy, but what's the best for the projects, program and the company. After all, the program will deliver strategic goals for the company.