Discussion Question #1:

How is conflict management critical to project management? What might happen during a period of conflict within a team? How does this differ from a conflict with a customer or a supplier?

How is conflict management critical to project management?

Usually the result of differing objectives, conflict is common in a project structure and can occur at any level in the organization. "The project manager has often been described as a conflict manager" (Kerzner, 2006, p. 288). Conflict management is critical to project management since without managing conflict; the project may suffer delays, errors, extra costs, or even fail altogether.

What might happen during a period of conflict within a team?

During a period of conflict within a team, the team and project may...