Dealing with conflict is a regular part of managing a project. This week's tweets provided some tips on handling conflict.

Conflict on a project can occur in many ways. Between you and the team, between team members, between business owners etc.

• The first step in dealing with conflict is to understand where it is coming from. Is it from lack of communications, stress, project issues?
• The next step is to engage the parties involved in the conflict. Get both parties to define what their issue sand concerns are.
• Avoid dealing with conflicts in a group setting. Get the parties together privately to discuss the conflict and try to resolve it.
• If the conflict is between two other parties be dispationate in dealing with them. Their emotions are probably high so you need to be low.
• If you are one of the paries in the conflict check your emotions at the door. Be factual and concise in the discussions.
• When discussing conflict stay away from adjectives as much as possible. Phrases such as royally screwed up can inflame emotions
• Using a visual medium such as flip charts or white boards to describe both sides of the issues may help all parties see resolutions easier.
• Don't think you have to solve all of the conflict at once. Sometimes allowing a day or so between meetings may help.
• Do not use emails, chat sessions, or text messages to solve conflict. Meet in person or use the phone or even video conferencing.

Next week the tweets will discuss scope management on projects. Enjoy the weekend!