Conflict Diagnosis

Importance of Conflict
Diagnosis
A study noted major differences between the
performance of experts and that of novices.
Experts spend a proportionately greater
amount of problem-solving time than novices in
building a representation of the problem,
before they carry out a solution plan (Lesgold,
1988, pp. 201-202).

Conflict Diagnosis:
Mediators Purpose
To understand the conflict
To assess if the dispute can be
mediated, or if there is a need to
immediately forward it to proper
authorities for appropriate action.
To develop mediation plan.

Steps of Conflict Diagnosis

1. Define the issue.
2. Identify the parties. Do a stakeholder
analysis.
3. Identify the sources of the conflict. Use
the Circle of Conflict Tool
4. Assess the willingness of parties to
resolve conflict amicably
5. Assess environmental factors that are
helping or hindering the resolution of
the conflict

1. Define the Issue

What is the conflict about?
What is its ABC?
A: Antecedent/history
B: Behavioral manifestation
C: Consequences

2. Identify the parties:

Stakeholder Analysis
Parties

POSITION
ON THE
ISSUE

INTERESTS
(reasons of
position)

LEVEL OF
MOTIVATION to
RESOLVE
CONFLICT (High,
Moderate, Low)

LEVEL OF
INFLUENCE to
RESOLVE
CONFLICT
(H,M,L); IF HIGH,
STATE SOURCES
OF POWER

3. Identify the Sources of

the Conflict
Circle of Conflict
Interests

Data Problem

Structural
Problem

Relationship
Problem
Values
Differences

Data
Problem
Lack of information;
Conflicting information/data;
Different interpretations of information;
and
Lack of credibility of information.

Relationship
Problem
Past unresolved
misunderstanding and quarrels;
Strong emotions;
Incompatible personalities

Values
Differences
Differences in beliefs and attitudes towards
the issue and the parties
Own rights and duties as far as the issues
in conflict are concerned;
Rights and duties of the other parties
How conflict should be resolved

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Structural
Problem
Problems caused by external factors, which
cannot be resolved through negotiation
between/among disputing parties.
Examples:
The law and its requirements;
Limited resources;
Natural Conditions
> Weather
> Disasters
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Interests

Needs, aspirations and fears of disputing

parties
Triangle of needs/interests:
Substantive (tangible needs, etc.
land, income, etc.)
Psychological (respect, acceptance,
sense of ownership of decision,
etc.)
Procedural (participatory decisionmaking, clarity of process, etc.)
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4. Assess the Willingness/Readiness

of Parties: Checklist of Ingredients
Mutual positive motivation to resolve or manage
the conflict both have the drive to resolve or
manage the conflict;
Balance in situational power power imbalances
tend to inhibit the disputant from advancing their
respective views in a clear and forceful manner;
An optimum level of tension the tension is
moderate in such a way that the disputants are still
open to consider alternatives; and
Synchronization of confrontation efforts both
parties must be ready to confront the conflict.
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4. Assess the Environmental Factors

that can trigger escalation or
resolution of conflict
Force Field Analysis: Process of
identifying the factors that can
trigger conflict escalation or
facilitate conflict resolution.

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Conflict Diagnosis: Key Questions

Diagnostic Questions

Action Questions (Answers

depend on Answers to
Diagnostic Questions)

Issue

What is the issue about? How

did it start? What is/are its
current manifestations? What
have been the consequences?

Is this issue for mediation?

Stakeholder
Analysis

Who are the parties? What are

their positions and interests?
Who are highly motivated and
not motivated to resolve
conflict? Who have high,
moderate and low influence on
the conflict? What are the
sources of power of parties?

If the conflict is mediate-able, what will

be done to involve all parties in conflict
resolution?

Circle of
Conflict

What is the nature of the

conflict (data problem,
relationship, etc)?

What will be the substantive focus of the

conflict intervention?

Readiness
of Parties

Are parties ready to settle their

conflict through mediation?

What can be done to convince parties to

try mediation?

Environmental

What can trigger conflict

escalation? What can facilitate
conflict resolution?

What will be done to control factors that

are triggering the escalation of conflict?
What will be done to tap factors that can
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help conflict resolution?

Analysis

Gendering Conflict Diagnosis

1. Ensure participation of women and men in
conflict diagnosis and resolution.
2. Gather sex-disaggregated data on the
conflict
. What women and men say about the
conflict
. Effects of conflict on women and men,
girl-children, and boy-children.
. Role of women and men during and after
the conflict.
3. Include actions to resolve gender issues
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Exercise
Choose a conflict case
Apply the conflict diagnostic tool
Be prepared to present your conflict
diagnosis

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Thank you!

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