Designing a Negotiation Scenario

From Peacebuilding

Activity: Designing a Negotiation Scenario

Contents 1 Note: 2 Aim: 3 Time: 4 Participants: 5 Materials: 6 Procedure: 6.1 Essential characteristics of a role-play scenario: 7 Note:

Note:

Finding scenarios for negotiation role-play is not easy. When available, these materials are unlikely to be free of charge. Besides, it might be difficult to adapt pre-packaged scenarios to participants’ situations. Therefore, it can be a good idea for a facilitator to help participants design their own scenarios and then use them during a workshop. Both the creation and use of scenarios can provide useful learning insights for participants. This activity provides a model for this purpose.

Aim:

To have participants design a scenario for negotiation role-play

Time:

At least 90 minutes

Participants:

Any number, although it works better with at least three participants

Materials:

• Flip charts

• Markers

• A flip chart prepared in advance by the facilitator with the essential characteristics of a role-play scenario

• Papers and pencils for participants

Procedure:

I) Introduce the activity by saying that you are going to ask participants to design scenarios for negotiation role-play. You can use the information in the above note if necessary. Make sure everybody knows what a scenario for role-playing is.

II) Facilitate a brainstorming session by asking participants for situations/examples of negotiation from their own lives – or the lives of someone they know. Ask contributors to briefly describe them, and note down each situation on the flip chart. Make a bulleted list.

III) Together with the participants, choose the most relevant situations/examples.

IV) Divide the plenary into as many sub-groups as the number of situations/examples chosen. Try to have groups of equal size, with a minimum of three and a maximum of seven participants.

V) Each group’s task is to create a role-play scenario for negotiation. Put the essential characteristics of a role-play scenario up on a flip chart and briefly introduce them.

Essential characteristics of a role-play scenario:

• Description of the roles/parties: Who are they? What do they want? (the object of negotiation); Why do they want it? (their interests); What alternatives do they have for obtaining it?; What power do they have in this negotiation? (What is their bottom line, or BATNA [Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement]?).

• What is each party’s relationship with the other party/parties? (What importance do they give it? To what extent do they want to preserve or improve it? Are they bothered if it deteriorates?).

• What influence does each party have over the other/s?

• What external pressures are there – if any – on the parties?

VI) Start group work, allow sufficient time and give help if necessary.

VII) After group work, collect the role-play scenarios. Use them throughout the workshop.

Note:

Alternatives to this process include:

• After step VI you can ask participants to name the best scenario (or the best 3-5). For example, after all the groups have presented their scenarios, have the plenary vote on which is/are the best.

You can establish a maximum length for scenarios. For example, a maximum of 300 or 200 words. You can also ask groups to reduce their scenarios to the bare essentials, with a maximum of 99 words for each role-play.