Hi, I'm Julie Tietz. And welcome to Conflict Resolution-- putting the pieces together. Today, we're going to talk about how we create a problem statement in a conflict resolution process. So when we're creating a problem statement, this happens after a information exchange where the parties are discussing the issues in the conflict and we are identifying their interests.
So after this happens, we are going to start to work on creating a problem statement with the parties. A problem statement is a formal written statement usually in the form of a question that incorporates or includes all of the parties' interests that we have identified through our information discussion and exchange.
So let's use the example of two people who are working together and they have to work in the same office. Their names are Thomas and Camille. And so the first position is Thomas should move offices. And the second position is Camille should move offices. So both of the parties in this conflict want the other party to move out of the office.
So through our discussion with Thomas and Camille, we are able to identify their interests. And so Camille's interests are to have a positive work environment, to have more communication, to get positive feedback, and to feel appreciated and respected, where Thomas's interests are to work without interruption, to have some privacy, be respected, and to have a supportive work environment.
So we have identified the interests of Camille and Thomas. And so the next step is to try and find some joint interests to where both of them hold similar interests within this conflict. And so looking at the list here, I noticed that having the positive work environment and supportive work environment are very similar interests, as well as being respected and also feeling appreciated and respected at work.
So we've already found some commonalities here with Camille and Thomas in their conflict. And so the next part or the next step that we need to do is to formulate the question where we can work out the problem of Camille and Thomas that include their interests.
So creating a problem statement, again, includes the party's interests. So we are looking at the interests here of Camille and Thomas. And we want to include joint interests, which are similar interests held by the parties. And we want the parties to help create this problem statement or problem question so they can feel invested in the process and feel like they are owning the process and owning possible solutions to their own conflict.
So again, going back to looking at the interests of Camille and Thomas here, we are now ready to create a problem statement. And so a question that I came up with is, how can Camille and Thomas share an office and feel respected, positive, and supported at work? So these include the similar interests of Camille and Thomas here.
Also, another one is, how can Camille receive more positive feedback and communication while Thomas gets his needed privacy with limited interruptions? So here with this question, I divided up what Camille's interests are and also what Thomas' interests are and formed it into a question on how we can meet everybody's needs here.
And so again, like I said before, we want the parties to work with us in creating this problem statement here. So they can own the process and have-- feel like they're really invested in finding a lasting solution here.
And so as a conflict intervener in this conflict between Camille and Thomas, I want to check in with them. I want to make sure that everything is OK with the question that they came up with. And if it is, then great. We have our problem statement. We know what we're going to work in solving.
But if it seems a little bit off, that's OK too. But we need to know that. And so that's why we check in with them to make sure that the question sounds good to them and feels right. And if it doesn't, then we have to rewrite it, rewrite it, and rewrite it again until the parties feel satisfied that we are working-- or looking at a problem statement that is really going to solve their conflict.
So now that we've gone over how to create a problem statement, let's go over some of our key points. So a prompt statement is a question created by the parties to solve their conflict. And the question should include the interests of both parties and also interests where they have joint needs or joint concerns.
And we want to be sure to check in with the parties to be sure that the question that they've created really fits in with the conflict and the problem that they want to solve. And if it doesn't fit in, it's OK. We want to rewrite it so it feels good and the parties are satisfied and moving forward in resolving their conflict.
So thanks so much for taking the time out today. I hope that you've learned something. And before we go, check out our two key terms, which are problem statement and joint interests. And I can't wait to catch you again next time.