8 Resistance and conflict resolution

This chapter covers

  • Conflict and resistance, and why they occur
  • Conflict and resistance in collaborative modeling
  • The effect of resistance and conflict on software design
  • Resolving and facilitating conflict and resistance

In the previous two chapters, we discussed ranking and cognitive biases and the effect they have on your software design and architecture. The following social-related topic that we’ll cover that has a major influence on your software design and architecture is conflict and resistance.

First, we’ll walk you through what conflict and resistance are exactly and what type of behaviors you might observe. Next, we’ll discuss how conflict and resistance show up during collaborative modeling and the effect they both have on your software design and architecture. Lastly, we’ll teach you a few techniques you can use while facilitating collaborative modeling.

8.1 Why people show resistance and have conflicts

8.1.1 What conflict is all about

8.1.2 Edge behavior

8.1.3 What is resistance?

8.2 Resistance and conflict during collaboration

8.2.1 Recognizing resistance and conflict in collaborative modeling

8.2.2 The effect of resistance and conflict on software design

8.2.3 Resistance and conflict as learning opportunities

8.3 Facilitating toward a resolution

8.3.1 Resistance and conflict in practice

8.3.2 Kissing the group over the edge

8.3.3 Creating role fluidity

8.4 Collaborative software design catalysts

8.5 Chapter heuristics

8.6 Further reading