Avoidance

5 minutes 5 Questions

Avoidance is a conflict management strategy where the people involved choose to ignore or avoid the conflict instead of directly confronting it. This can be beneficial for avoiding escalation of unimportant issues. However, in project management, this approach can lead to festering problems as unresolved conflicts often grow. Prudent project managers should therefore be aware of the causes of conflicts and adept at choosing the right strategy.

A Comprehensive Guide to Avoidance in Conflict Management

What is Avoidance?
Avoidance is a conflict management strategy that involves reducing or completely eliminating direct engagement with a conflict. This approach might involve physically removing oneself from the situation, changing the subject, or postponing the issue.

Importance of Avoidance in Conflict Management
While avoidance isn't always the best long-term solution, it can be a valuable tool in certain situations. It can be used to maintain peace in situations where engaging in the conflict could lead to escalation or could prove unproductive. Avoidance can also provide time and space to reflect, gather information, and develop a different perspective.

How does Avoidance Work?
Avoidance works by disengaging from the conflict either physically, emotionally, or mentally. It's a passive approach where one party chooses not to address the problem in the hope that it will resolve itself, or out of fear that confrontation might worsen the situation.

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Avoidance
1. Understanding the Concept: Make sure you understand the concept of avoidance thoroughly, before writing your answers.
2. Pro and Cons: Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of avoidance approach in various circumstances. There's no 'one size fits all' when it comes to conflict management strategies.
3. Examples: Use examples in your answers to demonstrate your understanding of how and when avoidance can be used effectively.
4. Clear and Concise: Be clear and concise in your responses. Prioritize quality over quantity.
5. Comparative Analysis: In comparison questions, analyze avoidance alongside other conflict management strategies to highlight its unique qualities.
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CAPM - Avoidance Example Questions

Test your knowledge of Avoidance

Question 1

Your team identified a risk of the project completion getting delayed due to potential delays in obtaining certain permits. What would be the best avoidance strategy in this situation?

Correct Answer: Begin the process of acquiring the necessary permits prior to the start of the project

The best strategy to avoid potential delays due to permits in a project is to 'Begin the process of acquiring the necessary permits prior to the start of the project'. This strategy allows time for all relevant permissions to be gathered, without delaying project launch or execution. On the contrary, commencing the project and simultaneously applying for the permits might lead to potential pauses or slow-downs in project operations if the permit acquisition takes longer than expected. Ignoring the identified risk of permit delays is not suitable as it can result in significant project setbacks, and simply allocating extra time for permit-related delays in the project plan, even though it can help manage time better, does not necessarily prevent the risk of permit delay, it only prepares for its consequences.

Question 2

Your project involves hefty machinery. The project team has notified a risk of machinery breakdown which can hamper the project completion. How will you avoid this risk?

Correct Answer: Rent backup machinery as a precaution

Renting backup machinery as a precaution is the best approach in this scenario because it allows for continuity of the project in case of a machinery breakdown. Ignoring the risk or waiting until the machinery breaks down before starting maintenance is inefficient and potentially costly, as it can lead to significant project delays. Buying more machinery is also not the most cost-effective solution, as it involves a large upfront cost and may not be necessary if the machinery does not break down.

Question 3

A risk is identified that a supplier may go bankrupt before delivering necessary resources for your project. As a project manager, what should you do to avoid this risk?

Correct Answer: Choose a supplier with stronger financial stability

As a project manager, the best way to mitigate the risk of a supplier potentially going bankrupt is to 'Choose a supplier with stronger financial stability'. This choice reduces the chance of fumbling project timelines or quality due to supplier issues. 'Proceed with the current supplier' is incorrect because doing so would only sustain the risk. 'Try to negotiate the price with the current supplier' is a wrong option because it does not fundamentally address the risk of bankruptcy. The last option, 'Stop the project until the supplier is financially stable', is incorrect because it might result in serious project delays and potentially extra costs. The key to successful project management is to anticipate and manage risks proactively, which is best represented by the correct answer.

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