How do you monitor and adjust your conflict management plan with analysis tools?

1 Conflict Mapping

Conflict mapping is a visual tool that helps you identify and organize the main actors, issues, relationships, and interests involved in a conflict. By creating a diagram that shows how these elements are connected, you can gain a clearer picture of the conflict situation, and spot patterns, gaps, or opportunities for intervention. You can use conflict mapping to monitor and adjust your conflict management plan by updating it regularly, and comparing it with your initial map to see how the conflict has changed over time. You can also use it to evaluate the impact of your actions, and adjust your strategies or goals accordingly.

2 Conflict Tree

Conflict tree is a tool that helps you analyze the root causes, core problems, and effects of a conflict. By using a tree metaphor, you can illustrate how the conflict is structured, and how it affects different levels of the system. The roots represent the underlying factors that create or sustain the conflict, such as history, culture, or values. The trunk represents the main problem or issue that triggers or escalates the conflict, such as power, resources, or rights. The branches represent the visible effects or consequences of the conflict, such as violence, displacement, or mistrust. You can use conflict tree to monitor and adjust your conflict management plan by revisiting it periodically, and checking if the root causes, core problems, and effects have changed, or if new ones have emerged. You can also use it to assess the relevance and effectiveness of your solutions, and adjust them to address the different levels of the conflict.

3 Conflict Style Inventory

Conflict style inventory is a tool that helps you understand your own and others' preferences and tendencies in handling conflict. By answering a series of questions, you can identify your dominant conflict style, and how it affects your interactions and outcomes. There are five common conflict styles: competing, collaborating, compromising, avoiding, and accommodating. Each style has its strengths and weaknesses, depending on the situation and the relationship. You can use conflict style inventory to monitor and adjust your conflict management plan by reflecting on your own and others' conflict styles, and how they influence the conflict process and resolution. You can also use it to adapt your style to different scenarios, and to balance your needs and interests with those of others.

4 Conflict Resolution Spectrum

Conflict resolution spectrum is a tool that helps you evaluate the appropriateness and feasibility of different methods of resolving conflict. By using a spectrum metaphor, you can compare and contrast the various options available, and how they relate to the level of cooperation and control involved. The spectrum ranges from negotiation, which involves direct communication and mutual problem-solving, to litigation, which involves formal and binding adjudication by a third party. In between, there are other methods, such as mediation, arbitration, or facilitation, that involve different degrees of third-party involvement and authority. You can use conflict resolution spectrum to monitor and adjust your conflict management plan by reviewing the pros and cons of each method, and how they fit your situation and goals. You can also use it to select or change your method, based on the changing circumstances and needs of the parties.

5 Conflict Feedback Loop

Conflict feedback loop is a tool that helps you monitor and adjust your conflict management plan by creating a cycle of continuous learning and improvement. By using a feedback loop metaphor, you can design and implement a system that collects, analyzes, and applies information from the conflict situation and your actions, and uses it to inform your future decisions and actions. The feedback loop consists of four steps: plan, do, check, and act. In the plan step, you define your objectives, strategies, and indicators for your conflict management plan. In the do step, you execute your plan and collect data on your actions and outcomes. In the check step, you evaluate your data and compare it with your objectives and indicators. In the act step, you use your evaluation results to adjust your plan and actions, and close the gap between your actual and desired performance.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?