Conflict Assessment

What Is Conflict Assessment?

Most people assume that land use decision-making is only about real estate, financial transactions, or legal agreements. We tend to forget that relationships and values carry just as much weight, and must be acknowledged. Conflict assessments identify personal concerns, as well as property issues, prior to entering into group discussions or negotiations.

How Does It Work?

One person, or a small working group, tells me about the land use decisions they face and the people involved. We draw up an initial set of interview questions, with the understanding that more questions may arise as the interviews proceed. I interview each person individually, face-to-face or through a phone call. Our conversation is confidential, but I will ask permission to share information in my final report.

The questions generally focus on the connections people feel towards the land, what this property means to them, concerns about finances, property maintenance, relationships with other members of the group, and what they see for the future. After the interviews I prepare a report identifying areas of concern and agreement, along with topics for future discussion. Everyone receives a copy of the report.

My intent is to help set the stage for future decision-making by making sure individual concerns are well-expressed, and everyone understands the full range of issues they face, working from accurate information rather than assumption, gossip, or speculation.

Getting Started

Contact me by email or phone to get started.