What is Conflict Resolution Techniques?
PMI recognizes five approaches: collaborate/problem-solve (dig into the real issue, win-win — the default right answer), compromise (each side gives something — lose-lose but fast), smooth/accommodate (emphasize agreement, defer the issue), force/direct (impose a decision — for emergencies), and withdraw/avoid (retreat — rarely correct, occasionally wise while tempers cool).
Exam nuance: collaborating is preferred but not sacred — a safety incident justifies forcing, and a trivial spat mid-crisis justifies withdrawing. Match technique to stakes and time.
Worked example
Two leads war over whether to refactor now or ship first. The PM doesn't split the difference; she asks what each is actually protecting — stability versus a customer commitment — and the team finds a third option: ship behind a feature flag, refactor the flagged path next sprint. That's collaboration: the answer neither side walked in with.