Your team is facing a major conflict with another department. How can you resolve it?

Understand what's behind the conflict. Different teams may have completely different goals or incentives. They may not be able to do what you think would be the best solution.

To start with, you can evaluate instances from the past that led to the conflict in the first place. The next step is to further break down such instances into specific remarks/gestures that is at the core of this conflict post which you can work collectively to identify solutions or minimize the symptoms of the conflict.

Talk through the issue. A quick call or video meeting may work better than writing a dozen lengthy emails. Listen and pay attention. Ask additional questions and verify if you understood them correctly. If you have concerns, communicate them openly. Understand that you're working on the same project or in the same company, so ultimately, you share common goals. Explore how these can be achieved through solving the current problem.

In intra-team conflict situations, effective communication is crucial for generating alternatives and resolving issues constructively. Agile methodologies like Design Sprint or Design Thinking offer a powerful approach to addressing problems quickly and efficiently, while learning by doing. These methodologies foster collaboration and idea exchange in a democratic environment where all opinions are valued. By working together to find solutions, diverse alternatives are explored, and consensus is reached based on common understanding, enabling conflicts to be resolved effectively and creatively.

If this happened to me, I would steer all parties involved toward resolution by reinforcing our (the company's) common goals. Create a simple pros and cons list to evaluate potential solutions, considering impact, cost, and feasibility. This approach would open dialogue, encourage all sides to express their views and preferences. By prioritizing transparency and aiming for a compromise, we would come to a consensus that would respect all parties' needs.

The whole premise of the topic is not just ideation or solving a problem but creatively resolving conflicts. Mostly it's due to interspersonal matters and some wedged personal interests getting impacted by the project resulting in conflicts. One often overlooked aspect of projects is forming and storming stage of pulling a team together which results in the team not feeling like a cohesive unit and hence getting into conflicts. A lot of challenges in projects are more human then technical or otherwise

It's essential to foster a culture of empathy and understanding across both teams. Encouraging members from both sides to express their concerns and viewpoints without judgment can lead to deeper insights into the conflict's root causes. Additionally, engaging in joint team-building activities or workshops focused on conflict resolution and collaboration can help break down barriers and build mutual respect. Seeking external facilitation or mediation can also provide a neutral perspective and assist in navigating complex issues, ensuring that the resolution process is constructive and balanced. These steps, combined with the strategies you've outlined, can effectively resolve the conflict while strengthening interdepartmental relationships.