Communicating With Stakeholders and Managing Conflict (Essay Sample)

Recommendation Report: Managing Conflict Student Name Institutional Affiliation Course Number, Name Instructor Due Date Executive Summary The report analyses the areas of conflict arising as a result of Optimum Way Development acquiring the smaller software company. It provides the outcome and the best case scenario the team will achieve it mitigates conflict. The report also gives approaches and recommendations on how the company can successfully integrate the San Jose team without disputes. Elements of the software application. Optimum Way Development Company, located in Raleigh, North Carolina, is developing software that will transform the project management process in the technology industry. The application will offer a complete platform that increases team productivity through cooperation. The software targets a diverse audience within the tech industry and other departments. It will be a useful tool for project managers, team leaders, upcoming tech companies, and the IT department in general. As the manager leading the team of developers, I am excited about this application and how it will streamline work in the company. An effective project team needs strategies and organizational abilities to handle duties. One needs to be proficient with software and apps in addition to manual techniques like task lists and charts. Our organization is thrilled to be developing a product that will address the task management problem. The users can create tasks on the platform, assign them to respective groups, and track the tasks throughout the whole project. The application will also enable users to keep track of the amount of time spent on tasks and produce precise results for analysis or billing. Our company understands that poor communication can lead to failures and misunderstandings in the office (Diers-Lawson 2019). Still, when staff members use the appropriate communication tools for collaboration, productivity will increase significantly. Because of this knowledge, one of the functions of the application is to serve as a communication tool. It will enable the smooth passing of information via video conferencing and chats. Users will also share files through the platform, which will enhance collaboration among teams and other departments. Through its analytical capabilities, the application will aid in decision-making by offering information on the project status and resource allocation. Areas of conflict The potential areas of conflict are because Optimum Way Development has acquired a smaller software company that is based in San Jose, and the developer team of the company will be working with other members of the smaller company. One of the areas of conflict is that the new team is unwilling to relocate to Raleigh. They were upset after they received an impersonal message from human resources that required them to move to Raleigh if they wanted to stay employed. It has caused resentment from both the new team and the existing members. The members are losing motivation, which is threatening to impact productivity. Experience and education disparities are another source of conflict. After the phone call with five employees from the new team, I discovered that they are more educated and experienced than the team in Raleigh. It could threaten the performance of the team and lead to tension due to perceived inequality. This disparity may lead to unhealthy competition among the current members and the new team, hence slowing down the project. The current team is also concerned about the security of their jobs. This concern was expressed by a senior member of the developer’s team in Raleigh. Since the other team is more experienced and educated, they think that they will end up taking their jobs. The rumours have created fear among the current team; therefore, they are resistant to training the new team. Another issue is that the new team is likely older than the manager, hence older than all the other members of the existing team. The potential conflict that can arise is difficulty in decision-making and disputes over leadership positions. Desired outcome The desired outcome is to create a work environment where all the teams feel valued, appreciated, and inspired to work toward the common goal. It will be ideal in an instance where all the members agree to integrate seamlessly and combine their expertise for the efficiency of the project. Calling a joint meeting where both teams can express their perspectives is the best way to resolve conflict over relocation. To make sure the talk is productive, I will use the techniques of empathy and active listening. These strategies will help identify the real issue behind their hesitation to relocate. On the other hand, having empathy enables a person to feel comfortable communicating their concerns and feelings. During the process, it is also important to validate everyone’s issues as we work toward finding common ground. The open meeting will allow the company to clarify the intentions of acquiring the smaller company and assure them of their contribution. The current members will also have a safe space to air their anxiety about the security of their jobs. The company can use transparent communication to reassure the members about their jobs and communicate if there are growth opportunities. Another way to resolve conflict is by organizing an integration workshop where the teams will participate in team bonding activities (Diers-Lawson 2019). The workshop will help the teams discover their potential and skill set and how they can complement each other at work rather than unhealthily competing. It will also serve as an opportunity for the teams to learn about their different work cultures and bridge the existing gap. I believe that...