Five Levels of Organizational Conflict| PMI-ACP Agile Certification Training

Five Levels of Organizational Conflict| PMI-ACP Agile Certification Training

One of the primary criteria for an Agile project manager is the potential to identify and resolve conflicts at the earliest. In Agile, conflict is referred to in two diversions:

1. Conflicts indicate that the Agile team has the freedom to voice their opinions and differences, and problems within the group.
2. If the conflict isn't settled immediately by the teammates, it can cause issues impacting the broader interests of the project.

Depending on the intensity, conflicts are differentiated into five levels and named the five levels of Agile conflict. The higher the level, the more challenging it becomes for leaders to resolve the problem with a polite settlement.

The Five Levels of Agile Conflicts

Agile Conflict Level 1

Here, the Agile team determines the issue rising in the project. Then, the team discusses and shares the issue among members and the project leader. This conflict level is a constructive issue-solving stage common to all high-level projects.

Agile Conflict Level 2

Here, the conflict becomes a disagreement matter among the team members. The members start to distance themselves from each other, and due to several issues, they stop taking the initiative to resolve the conflict. Though this level doesn't witness an open war; however, all the members wait for others to enter and resolve the conflict.

Agile Conflict Level 3

At this level, multiple issues were left unresolved, creating complex scenarios within the team. Different groups in the same team are made, and every member stands supporting one or the other group. In such a case, the conflict becomes like a competition, and more than problem-solving, the focus is more thrown light on winning than compromising.

Agile Conflict Level 4

Here, the contest becomes a battle, where groups start to imagine that the other group will never change and must be desolated. As a result, positions get replaced, and the only focus is safeguarding one's belonging group.

Agile Conflict Level 5

Here, the conflict becomes a war where no solution seems to arise. It heads to destruction by mutual consent. Level 5 of Agile conflict is the highest difficulty conflict level.

Agile Conflict Resolution

An Agile project leader should understand the conflict level and take relevant actions depending on the difficulty. Here are some methods of conflict resolution that an Agile project professional requires to follow against the different conflict levels:

1. At Agile conflict level 1, one must focus on consensus and collaboration. The crew is in a constructive discussion, and all they require is motivation and a push to make them strive towards achieving a resolution. The project leader should ensure that each member is heard and respected throughout the discussion.
2. The team should be reunited at Agile conflict level 2 for a discussion. Here, there's a willingness to discuss and settle the issue; therefore, the unit must be supported to come ahead as they'll not do so on their own.
3. In Agile conflict level 3, one must involve the team in some compromise and initiate discussions. One must ensure that personal enmities take a step back and everyone negotiates for an open discussion.
4. At Agile conflict level 4, shuttle diplomacy is a must. Here the conflict level is higher, so bringing both groups as one for a discussion is impossible. One must take both teams separately and strive to settle the differences before letting them for a table discussion.
5. At Agile conflict level 5, the collateral damage is fixed. The only thing one can do at this level is to strive and limit the damage.

These are the five conflict levels in Agile and the methods following which project leaders can solve the conflict. To know more about Agile leadership and practices, join iCert Global's PMI-ACP training program.