- Being a mediator is one of the most challenging
of the many roles you play as a project manager.
Rarely does a project happen without the need
for a mediator, and this is because debates arise
when stakeholder expectations need to be in sync.
Most often, those debates involve competing constraints.
For example, one may focus
on keeping costs as low as possible.
At the same time, another may focus
on producing a high quality product
and they want to spend more
on the best materials to make the product.
While quality versus cost is a common source of conflict,
many items can trigger a debate.
These include deadlines, meeting regulations,
working with a predetermined budget,
meeting quality policies,
scope requirements to remain competitive,
stakeholder priority conflicts,
and other business initiatives
pulling staff away from your project.
It's important to note
that the project sponsor is responsible
for making decisions about these conflicts,
but as the project manager, you can play a significant role
in working through these competing constraints.
Presenting solution options to stakeholders
in conflict can significantly reduce time and frustration.
So being a mediator who offers alternatives
can save your project.
Let's look at the example of cost versus quality.
With one party saying to minimize cost and the other focused
on the best quality, there needs to be more
common ground to resolve the conflict.
However, with proper analysis an experienced
project manager will propose alternatives.
One proposal could be to use some higher quality products
and others less expensive with nearly the same quality.
This would save money,
but still produce a good quality product.
Alternatively, you could create two versions of the product;
one that's lower cost and lower quality
and the other that's higher cost and the best quality.
This could form the basis
for a compromise your stakeholders may find acceptable.
A document with potential compromise
options you can use to address the debate topics
I've shared in this video is included in the exercise files.
It's wise to get the endorsement
of your sponsor to investigate acceptable alternatives.
Then talk with the stakeholders
about conditions they may find acceptable.
That way you only work
through potential options with your team
that will be accepted.
While the role of mediator may seem intimidating,
stakeholders usually welcome it.
They often need help to get to an acceptable solution
so you can make the process easier while you don't
make the decision that resolves these competing constraints
and you'll look like a hero, at least for a day.