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How to improve my negociation skill as a PM ?

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Mahalmadane Touré Engineer| National Headquarters of Geology and Mines of Mali (Bamako) Mali
How to improve my negociation skill as a PM ?
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Kevin Drake Perth, Western Australia, Australia
You need to have a proper preparation for any negotiations you have:
Preparation for negotiation is directly proportional to the scale of the project or argument. For a small argument or discount, extensive preparation can be counterproductive. The following should, however, be considered at various levels depending on the scale of project or disagreement that needs to be resolved.

1. Goals – Why are you going into this negotiation? What do you hope to achieve and what do you think the other parties hope to achieve as well? Never analyze from your own perspective alone.

2. Available alternatives – In a situation where you are unable to reach an agreement, what alternatives are available to you? What are the advantages and set backs of the alternatives? And what are the implications of not reaching an agreement to the project and the organization as a whole?

3. Trade Advantage – What do both of you have that gives you an advantage over the other? What are you willing to sacrifice for the agreement?

4. Relationships – What kind of relationship do you have or hope to establish with the other parties involved in the negotiation? Is it a one-off relationship or a continuous relationship? What is the implication of a failed agreement on the relationship involved?

5. Power – Who has the upper hand in the relationship? Who controls more resources and who stands to gain more or lose more if an agreement is reached or not reached?

6. Consequences – For every action, there is a consequence. What are the consequences of you winning or losing the negotiation? When is it considered to have lost the negotiation and what are the quantified implications of the project and project organization?
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2 replies by Mahalmadane Touré and Victor Osmar Mencia Lezcano
Mar 15, 2018 10:31 AM
Victor Osmar Mencia Lezcano
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excellent negotiation criteria
Mar 15, 2018 3:38 PM
Mahalmadane Touré
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Really helpful! Thanks a lot for your help. I really appreciate it.
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Jaleel . PMP, Associate Director| MetricStream Bangalore, India
On of the point that I would also like to consider is, when to stop negotiation. So, the goal of negotiation is key and once achieved need to stop and proceed with next actions. On the other note if not achieved need to have other options or plan in place to handle if the negotiation fails.
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1 reply by Mahalmadane Touré
Mar 15, 2018 3:40 PM
Mahalmadane Touré
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Thanks for your help.
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Sante Delle-Vergini, PhD Senior Project Manager| Infosys Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
In addition to what Drake said, understanding human motivation is key to influencing others. Know what they want and what drives them, and you will negotiate effectively.
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1 reply by Mahalmadane Touré
Mar 15, 2018 3:41 PM
Mahalmadane Touré
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Thanks a lot for your help.
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Karan Shah Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Excellent coverage already by Kevin.

I would add just one aspect: Is there a possibility to aim for a win-win scenario that meets the minimum necessary criteria for both parties?

Or what is the closest we can get for a win-win scenario?
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Jegat Eric Project manager| ANSSI Chaville, France
Excellent, I would add on step :
Try to identify the influencers , the guys who won't negociate directly but have a strong power on the guy who will negociate.
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1 reply by Mahalmadane Touré
Mar 15, 2018 3:42 PM
Mahalmadane Touré
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Thanks for your help.
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Nico Schuster Managig Director / CEO| Tecpal Ltd. Hong Kong Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany
Great overview by Kevin! And very true add-ons.
I totally agree with Jaleel. Know your termination criterion. Sometimes there comes a point where it just does not make sense anymore - which also applies to running projects btw...
And knowing the influencers behind negotiations can be vital in some cases.
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Kiron Bondale Retired | Mentor| Retired Welland, Ontario, Canada
Mahalmadane -

Take a basic course in negotiation (1-2 days) and then practice what you've learned in both personal and professional situations.

Successful negotiation requires active listening, high EQ, and an ability to see the interest of parties rather than just focusing on their positions.

Kiron
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1 reply by Mahalmadane Touré
Mar 15, 2018 3:43 PM
Mahalmadane Touré
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Thanks for your help.
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Victor Osmar Mencia Lezcano ENGINEER CIVIL AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT| P&E VFM SA Fernando De La Mora, Fernando De La Mora, Paraguay
Mar 11, 2018 10:57 PM
Replying to Kevin Drake
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You need to have a proper preparation for any negotiations you have:
Preparation for negotiation is directly proportional to the scale of the project or argument. For a small argument or discount, extensive preparation can be counterproductive. The following should, however, be considered at various levels depending on the scale of project or disagreement that needs to be resolved.

1. Goals – Why are you going into this negotiation? What do you hope to achieve and what do you think the other parties hope to achieve as well? Never analyze from your own perspective alone.

2. Available alternatives – In a situation where you are unable to reach an agreement, what alternatives are available to you? What are the advantages and set backs of the alternatives? And what are the implications of not reaching an agreement to the project and the organization as a whole?

3. Trade Advantage – What do both of you have that gives you an advantage over the other? What are you willing to sacrifice for the agreement?

4. Relationships – What kind of relationship do you have or hope to establish with the other parties involved in the negotiation? Is it a one-off relationship or a continuous relationship? What is the implication of a failed agreement on the relationship involved?

5. Power – Who has the upper hand in the relationship? Who controls more resources and who stands to gain more or lose more if an agreement is reached or not reached?

6. Consequences – For every action, there is a consequence. What are the consequences of you winning or losing the negotiation? When is it considered to have lost the negotiation and what are the quantified implications of the project and project organization?
excellent negotiation criteria
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Miguel Rabelo Project Manager| LAMCO - LATIN AMERICA MAINTENANCE COMPANY Rio De Janeiro, Rj, Brazil
Mahalmadane

I suggest you to listen to the free webinar at www.projectmanagement.com "PMXPO 2010 Project Negotiations: Deal yourself a winning hand" featured by Mr. Joseph Lukas.
It is very good, current, objective and useful for the Project Managers.
Miguel
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1 reply by Mahalmadane Touré
Mar 15, 2018 3:44 PM
Mahalmadane Touré
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Ok. Thanks for your help.
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Jim Branden Senior Project Manager| Retired from UNC Charlotte - IT Services - PPMO Charlotte, Nc, United States
Mahalmadane, all the above give you food for thought. After you've prepared and worked through the negotiation process (not yet at a 'win-win'), stop and remind yourself, "The other party will never accept a bad deal. Why should I?"
Then think about Nico's insight.
In my humble opinion, negotiations have only two outcomes: #1 a 'win-win' (where both parties feel they ended up with more than they expected to gain) the preferred outcome. Or #2 no deal. Win-lose or lose-lose are not successful negotiation outcomes. Jim
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2 replies by Mahalmadane Touré
Mar 15, 2018 3:39 PM
Mahalmadane Touré
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Really helpful! Thanks a lot for your help. I really appreciate it.
Mar 15, 2018 3:45 PM
Mahalmadane Touré
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Thanks for your help.
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