In a conflict situation about requirements, how should you best react?

Choosing to get together with stakeholders to attempt agreement is a proactive and collaborative approach to resolving conflicts about requirements. This method encourages open communication and collective problem-solving, allowing stakeholders to express their viewpoints and concerns. By facilitating discussions, you create an environment where various perspectives can be reconciled through dialogue, thus fostering a sense of ownership and commitment to the agreed-upon requirements.

This collaborative approach also helps ensure that all voices are heard, potentially uncovering underlying issues or misconceptions that may have led to the conflict. Engaging stakeholders directly can lead to more creative and effective solutions, strengthening relationships and enhancing teamwork across the project. Overall, this strategy aligns with best practices in requirements management, which emphasize collaboration and consensus-building.

In contrast, simply noting both arguments and letting the project manager decide can create a disconnect between stakeholders and project goals, as it may not fully address the concerns raised. Inviting all stakeholders to a workshop might seem beneficial, but depending on the situation, it could be more effective to have smaller, targeted discussions first. Preferring the second opinion without addressing the root of the conflict may lead to unresolved issues and dissatisfaction among stakeholders, ultimately impacting the project's success.