Conflict Management

Correct Answer: Replacing a hazardous material with a non-hazardous one

The best example of risk avoidance in this case would be 'Replacing a hazardous material with a non-hazardous one'. This is because risk avoidance involves taking steps to completely avoid the risk. By replacing a hazardous material with a non-hazardous one, the project manager is completely avoiding the risk associated with the hazardous material. The other options do not represent risk avoidance. 'Buying insurance for potential accidents due to hazardous materials' is an example of risk transfer, not risk avoidance. 'Training the staff to handle hazardous materials safely' represents risk mitigation, reducing the impact or likelihood, not the avoidance of the risk. 'Transferring the responsibility to handle hazardous materials to a third party' is also considered as risk transfer.

Correct Answer: Revamp the coding structure aiming to better security

The best avoidance strategy for identified cybersecurity threats due to a vulnerable coding structure is to 'Revamp the coding structure aiming to better security'. This approach ensures that any known vulnerabilities are addressed, making the software system stronger and less susceptible to potential threats, hence reducing the project risks. The other answers are not optimal because: 'Ignoring the threats and proceeding as planned' does not address the issue and the system will still be vulnerable posing a potential risk to the project. 'Investing in cybersecurity insurance' could serve as a mitigation plan in case of an attack, but it does not prevent the attack from occurring in the first place, hence not a risk avoidance strategy. 'Training the team in cybersecurity, but continuing with the same coding structure' while educating the team, fails to rectify the known vulnerability in the coding structure thus not eliminating the identified risk.

Correct Answer: Evaluative mediation

The best answer is 'Evaluative mediation.'

Evaluative mediation is characterized by bringing in an external expert who assesses the situation and provides a detailed recommendation. This aligns perfectly with the scenario described in the question, where an external expert is brought in to assess the disagreement between team members and provide a recommendation on the implementation of a critical feature.

Evaluative mediation is particularly useful in technical or specialized disputes where an expert opinion can help resolve the conflict by providing an objective assessment based on their expertise.

The other options are incorrect for the following reasons:

'Transformative mediation focused on relationship improvement' is not the best fit because it primarily aims to improve the relationship between parties rather than providing a specific recommendation on the technical implementation.

'Facilitative mediation with guided problem-solving' involves a mediator who guides the parties to find their own solution, rather than providing an expert recommendation.

'Directive mediation with enforced solutions' goes beyond providing a recommendation and involves enforcing a solution, which is not mentioned in the scenario presented.