Interest-Based Problem-Solving (IBPS) is an outcome of the Harvard Negotiation Project, a group that deals with all levels of negotiation and conflict resolution, and was captured by Fisher, Ury and Patton (1981) in their book Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In.
Getting to Yes offers a proven, step-by-step strategy for coming to mutually acceptable agreements in every sort of conflict. The four key principles of Interest-Based Problem-Solving are:
- Separate the people from the problem.
- Focus on interests, not positions.
- Generate a variety of possibilities before deciding what to do.
- Insist that the result be based on some objective standard.
Using these problem solving principles, the conflict in the decision-making process is not only reduced but is harnessed to deliver greater creativity, productivity, enhanced morale, and personal growth.
IBPS is traditionally very slow but can be accelerated by combining it with the Evaporating Cloud method of conflict resolution.
Interest-Based Problem-Solving is the key to reducing conflict and unlocking more harmony in your organization.