University Team Conflict Case Study Analysis and Recommendations

This case study analyzes a team conflict scenario involving two sub-teams from different organizations working on a database development project. The analysis highlights conflicts arising from geographical distance, organizational diversity, and differing technical skills. The assignment explores the impact of distance on team dynamics and performance, the role of sub-team sponsors, and the importance of various skills in staffing projects. It recommends training and development activities to improve communication and interpersonal relationships, as well as a procedural structure for project evaluation. The analysis concludes with strategies to improve team communication, monitor progress, and assign team supervisors to mitigate conflicts and foster effective teamwork. The case study references relevant literature to support its conclusions.

Running head: Analysis of case study
ANALYSIS
OF
CASE STUDY
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note:

1Team Conflict
Why is this case is about team conflict?
After analyzing the case-study, it has been observed that this study is entirely about
team conflict as it has been mentioned in the study that the database development team is
formed by combining two separate teams from different organizations of different places. As
these teams are from two different environments several, conflicts related to their behavior,
capabilities as well as to their technical skills have been noticed.
What conflicts do you see developing?
According to the case study, due to various significant reasons, there are several
conflicts present in the case scenario which includes the diversity of the organization of the
sub-teams. Distance has played a major role in terms of work efficiency and communication.
Along with the above aspects, the diversity of the technical skills of their team members has
made a huge difference in the work progress. Thus, by the occurrence of these problems the
conflict has been noticed while developing the approach database system.
How is distance affecting team dynamics and performance?
After investigating the case study, it has been observed that the distance between two
sub-teams has made a significant impact on their team performance and the dynamics as well.
Due to the physical separation, domestic diversity as well as the geographical changes,
several problems have been observed related to group discussion, human interaction,
organizational structure, final objective as well as the trust among the group members. Thus,
this can be stated that the conflicts caused by the distance between team members have
affected the team dynamics as well as the performance.

2Team Conflict
What do you think about the decision to appoint sub-team sponsor?
According to the scenario of the mentioned case study, it has been observed that there
are two sub-teams present in case of developing the database from different places. Thus, as a
consultant, it is highly recommended to the organization to hire sub-team sponsors for each
of the sub-teams. Which will help to provide individual financial support in order to improve
their work process? However, sub-sponsors will provide benefits like financial support as
well as organizational support. Still there will be a conflict present in the scenario which is
related to the dependency of the sub-teams on each other.
What problem can it solve?
The problem related to financial problems can be solved by appointing sub-sponsors
for each sub-teams.
Which problems might it not solve?
The problem related to dependency and communication is still unresolved after the
appointment of sub-sponsors in each sub-team.
In addition to technical skills, what does this case say about the kinds of
skills that must be considered when staffing important projects?
Based on the case study, it has been observed that while staffing for any project which
has an important role to play, it is necessary to consider several technical skills. Being a
consultant it is recommended to select team members having enough technical skill, which is
primarily desired for the project, transformation communication, problem solving
capabilities, conflict solvent as well as with general project management skills which will
help to reduce the possible conflicts of the approached project (Tjosvold, Wong & Feng
2014)..

3Team Conflict
What kinds of training and development activities would you have
incorporated into this team's efforts?
In order to reduce the conflicts related to the mentioned teamwork, it is necessary to
take actions against the reason behind the conflicts. Being a consultant initially the
acknowledgment of the conflicts will be done later-on an analysis will be conducted in order
to identify the problematic area. After analyzing the conflicts raised issues must be discussed
openly with all the team members. After that, a training will be provided in order to enhance
their communication skills. The training will consist of several activities related to human
interaction which will help to build the interpersonal relationship between each team
members. Lastly, a procedural structure will be created in which the observation of the
project evaluation will be done for each team as well as after a certain time period a
compulsory meeting will be conducted which will help to marge the task in order to check the
functionalities of the approached database system (Le & Fernandez 2015).
When would you have done them?
At the initial stage of the project, the training and procedural structure should be done
in order to proceed with an effective project management plan. Since the project has been
already started, the project manager should organize this as soon as possible.
Can this project be saved?
Followed by the above recommendations there is a significant chance of the project to
be successfully completed.
Can this team? What steps should be taken?
Followed by the techniques of human interaction and communication activities, this
team can be saved with effective performance as well.

4Team Conflict
 Improve the communication between those teams by effective communication
approaches such as team meeting, conference.
 In order to resolve the communication problem between the teams, the project
manager should organize discussion about the progress and improvement in
regular basis.
 Assign team supervisor for each sub-team and build an effective
communication medium between them
 Monitor the weekly progress of two sub-teams and distribute the progress
report among the two sub-teams.
Considering the present scenario utilization of the above trick can help to reduce the conflicts
which will help to build an effective team.

5Team Conflict
Reference
Le Roy, F., & Fernandez, A. S. (2015). Managing competitive tensions at the working‐group
level: The rise of the coopetitive project team. British Journal of Management, 26(4),
671-688.
Tjosvold, D., Wong, A. S., & Feng Chen, N. Y. (2014). Constructively managing conflicts in
organizations. Annu. Rev. Organ. Psychol. Organ. Behav., 1(1), 545-568.

6Team Conflict