Interest Based Problem Solving

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Quick Reference Guide

• Interest Based Problem Solving

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Interest Based Problem Solving Guiding Principles

• Focus on the issue to be solved and not the
  personalities by understanding interests and not
  positions
• Foster working relationships by sharing
  relevant data freely and openly
• Embrace the mindset that your problem is my
  problem (sort of) while satisfying others
  interests as well as your own.
• Be Interest Based Problem Solver role models by
  actively demonstrating use of IBPS techniques
  and tools
• Be open to possibilities and use consensus to
  make decisions

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Interest Based Problem Solving is neither soft
nor hard it is principled
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Interest Based Problem Solving Approach To
Solving Problems
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Tips For Defining An Issue Statement

• State the problem to be solved. Issue statements
  are not the recommended solutions or demands
• Must depersonalize by separating the people from
  the problem
• Should be in a question format not an accusation
  
• Should be free of judgment wording
• Does not have to be perfect just good enough to
  begin the dialogue

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Things To Remember When Defining Interests

• Remember to identify each stakeholders
  interests. A stakeholder is anyone directly
  impacted by the issue.
• Positions are different than interests.
  Positions are one parties solution to the
  interests. Interests are the needs and concerns
  underlying the issue.
• Interests open the way to a dialogue so the
  things that people care about can be discussed
  and understood and addressed
• A dialogue is required to understand issues. It
  is simply not enough to just list the
  interests. Dialogue can help to disclose
  interests that may have not been initially
  shared.
• Ask clarifying questions and confirm what you
  heard in positive terms. Remember, attempting to
  understand interests does not mean you have
  reached agreement on a solution.

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Things To Remember When Generating Options

• Options are potential solutions - not agreements
  or commitments. Dont debate options
• Creating options that address other parties
  interests is an opportunity to foster trust and
  build relationships
• When generating options , the focus is to
  stimulate creative thinking that addresses mutual
  interests and separate interests. It sometimes is
  also helpful to survey best practices and
  consider all other relevant data
• Seek to understand options generated by the
  other party by paraphrasing your understanding of
  options

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Things To Remember When Crafting A Solution From
Options

• Seldom is there ever one perfect option that
  meets needs of both parties. You many need to
  piece components of options together to arrive at
  a solution
• Talk through the options and by consensus
  determine which options address the key interests
  of both parties
• Your job as Interest Based Problem Solvers is to
  determine which options best meet the interests
  and solves the problem

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Critical To Dos When Reaching Agreement On
Solutions
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Interest Based Problem Solving Tools/Techniques

• Peeling Back The Onion

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Contacts Best Practices Facilitators

• Debra Arcangelo-Vitale
• Lorraine Skibitcky
• Michele Potter
• Michael Schoen
• Brian Wingate