15325 Negotiation and Conflict Management

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Design, Architecture and Building: School of the Built Environment
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 15315 Project Management Principles AND 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10413 Bachelor of Design Architecture Master of Architecture
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

Managing conflict is an important part of a project manager’s role. Project managers need skills to resolve conflicts before they escalate into disputes, and to identify when dispute resolution approaches are needed and recommend appropriate actions.

In this subject, students work on a series of scenarios from different environments to identify and address sources of conflict and to apply negotiation skills. Through the interactive subject workshops, students also develop skills in resolving disputes through facilitation and mediation, and in identifying when to initiate determinative dispute resolution processes.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1.	Communicate effectively in the management of conflict in project environments
2.	Identify motivations and triggers for workplace conflict and critically reflect on one’s own perspective in conflicts
3.	Understand a range of negotiation and dispute resolution techniques and their application in managing workplace conflict
4.	Critically analyse conflict situations and apply appropriate negotiation and dispute resolution strategies
5.	Reflect and improve the application of negotiation and conflict management approaches
6.	Extend knowledge on conflict resolution approaches through analysis of published literature

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:

Communicate effectively through oral communication in projects at a professional level (Oral Communication) (C.1)
Communicate effectively through written communication in projects at a professional level (Written Communication) (C.2)
Develop and adapt project management knowledge to meet contextual demands (Knowledge Adaptation) (I.2)
Apply and extend advanced project management knowledge (Advanced Knowledge) (P.2)
Actively reflect on, and improve, project practice (Practice Improvement) (P.5)
Think critically and synthesise complex data (Critical Engagement) (R.1)
Define, initiate, and conduct research projects (Research) (R.2)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

The term CAPRI is used for the five Design, Architecture and Building faculty graduate attribute categories where:

C = communication and groupwork

A = attitudes and values

P = practical and professional

R = research and critique

I = innovation and creativity.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) are linked to these categories using codes (e.g. C-1, A-3, P-4, etc.).

Teaching and learning strategies

Delivery of this subject will include interactive lectures and discussions on key topics and targeted active learning exercises that provide experience in applying subject concepts and methods. Such activities will be integrated throughout the sessions through group work and in-class presentations by student groups. Preparation for the workshop includes pre-readings and a pre-workshop assignment. Students must also complete an assessment tool (the Strengths Deployment Inventory) prior to the block workshop.

There are a number of resources used to support the learning objectives of this subject. These are located on Canvas, our learning management system.

Content (topics)

Sources of conflict
Conflict engagement and avoidance
Personal strengths and preferences in managing conflict
Negotiation types and strategies
Preparation and structure in negotiations
Mediation and other dispute resolution processes

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Pre-workshop assessment - Subject preparation and conflict scenario

Intent:

Prepare for the workshop through responding to questions on the pre-readings and documenting a conflict situation and its context.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 2 and 3

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

C.2, I.2 and P.2

Type:

Exercises

Groupwork:

Individual

Weight:

20%

Criteria:

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Demonstrated understanding of a conflict situation through identification of a conflict scenario and its context	25	2	I.2
Effective written communication demonstrated by clearly presenting a scenario and describing the people using the appropriate words	25	1	C.2
Demonstrated understanding of negotiation, conflict management and dispute resolution approaches	50	3	P.2

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Workshop assessments - Group workshop exercises

Intent:

Demonstrate understanding of conflict management and dispute resolution concepts and their application through assessments based on the workshop.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 2, 3 and 5

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

C.1, C.2, I.2, P.2 and P.5

Type:

Exercises

Groupwork:

Group, group assessed

Weight:

30%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Effective oral communication, presented at a professional level	10	1	C.1
Effective written communication, presented at a professional level	15	1	C.2
Effective analysis of a conflict situation and the styles of the players	10	2	I.2
Demonstrated understanding and appropriate application of tools for managing conflict	50	3	P.2
Demonstrated ability to reflect upon experience to learn and improve practice	15	5	P.5

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Post-workshop assessment - Individual research and report

Intent:

Apply subject concepts and extend knowledge on conflict resolution approaches.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 2, 3, 4 and 6

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

C.2, I.2, P.2, R.1 and R.2

Type:

Essay

Groupwork:

Individual

Weight:

50%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Clear communication and professional presentation of the written submission	10	1	C.2
Sources referenced appropriately using APA 7 format for in-text citations and the reference list	10	1	C.2
Demonstrated understanding of sources of workplace conflict	20	2	R.1
Demonstrated understanding of negotiation and/or conflict resolution approaches and their application	20	3	P.2
Critical analysis of contextual factors for selecting negotiation and/or conflict resolution options	20	4	I.2
Effective use of published literature to extend knowledge on the application of negotiation and/or conflict management approaches	20	6	R.2

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Minimum requirements

The DAB attendance policy requires students to attend no less than 80% of formal teaching sessions (lectures and tutorials) for each class they are enrolled in to remain eligible for assessment.

Project Management students are required to attend 80% of all classes for all enrolled subjects. Achievement of the subject’s aims is difficult if classes are not attended. Where assessment tasks are to be presented personally in class, attendance is mandatory. Pursuant to UTS rule 3.8.2 students who do not satisfy attendance requirements may be refused permission by the Responsible Academic Officer to be considered for assessment for this subject.

Required texts

Refer to the Reading List on the Canvas site for the required readings. Please read these required readings before the block workshop.

Recommended texts

See the Canvas Reading List for a list of other (optional) recommended readings. These readings are recommended to extend your learning.