Your team is working on an information management system and there is disagreement over the functional test plan. You focus on defining the functionality where there is general agreement. This is an example of which conflict resolution technique?

Your team is working on an information management system and there is disagreement over the functional test plan. You focus on defining the functionality where there is general agreement. This is an example of which conflict resolution technique?

• A. Compromise
• B. De-Emphasis
• C. Forcing
• D. Avoidance

Answer: (B)

Focusing on what the team already agrees on and downplaying the areas of disagreement is smoothing a conflict. This approach aims to preserve relationships and keep the project moving by emphasizing common ground, such as the functionalities both sides accept, rather than forcing a contentious point or ignoring the issue. It differs from compromising (giving up something on both sides), forcing (one side imposes a solution), or avoidance (ignoring the conflict altogether). By de-emphasizing the disagreement, you maintain progress while shaping the next steps around shared acceptance.

Focusing on what the team already agrees on and downplaying the areas of disagreement is smoothing a conflict. This approach aims to preserve relationships and keep the project moving by emphasizing common ground, such as the functionalities both sides accept, rather than forcing a contentious point or ignoring the issue. It differs from compromising (giving up something on both sides), forcing (one side imposes a solution), or avoidance (ignoring the conflict altogether). By de-emphasizing the disagreement, you maintain progress while shaping the next steps around shared acceptance.