List and briefly explain the conflict analysis tools

1 Conflict Mapping
This is a technique used to represent a conflict graphically, placing the parties in relation both to the problem and to each other. It is a visual techniques for showing the relationships between parties in conflict.

2 The ABC Triangle
This is an analysis of factors related to Attitude, Behaviour and Context for each of the major parties. This analysis is based on the premise that conflicts have three major components: the context or situation, the behavior of those involved and their attitudes.

3 Conflict Tree
This is an analogy of a tree which shows key issues involved in a conflict. This tool is best used within groups/collectivities rather than as individual exercise.

4 Force Field Analysis
This tool can be used to identify the different forces influencing a conflict i.e. it is a tool for analyzing both positive and negative forces in a conflict situation. Whenever you are taking some action to bring about change there will be other forces that are either supporting or hindering what you are trying to achieve. This tool offers a way of identifying these positive and negative forces and trying to assess their strengths and weaknesses.

5 Time Lines
Timelines can be used to show the history of a conflict. For instance, in any collective bargaining agreement, concerned parties have completely different expenses, perceptions and expectations over time. By looking at the history of a conflict, one is able to establish how the parties have been relating in the past years, and the interventions taken so far with a view to coming up with appropriate and timely remedy.

6 The Onion
The onion has several layers. The outer layer contains positions that we take publicly, for all to see and hear. Underlying these are our interests, what we want to achieve from a particular situation. Finally, at the core are the most important needs we require to be satisfied. The onion therefore, is a way of analyzing what different parties to a conflict are saying so as to move beyond the public position of each party and understand each party's interests and needs.
Thus, as a conflict resolver, manager or peace builder, it is always important to move beyond public positions taken by conflicting parties so as to understand parties interest and needs.

7 Pillars of Conflict
This is a graphic representation of forces/elements that are holding up the unstable situation (of conflict situation). This graphic tool is based on the premise that conflict situations are not really stable but are ?held up? by a range of factors or forces ? the ?pillars?. If we can identify all these pillars and try to find ways to remove them or minimize their effect on the situation, we will be able to topple a negative situation and build a positive one. It helps to understand factors that maintain the undesirable situation. It also enables one to consider ways of weakening these negative forces.

8 The Pyramid
This tool is important when dealing with conflicts that have more than one level. With this method, one is able to identify the key parties or actors at each level who have some influence to the conflict at hand. In other words, it is the graphic illustration showing levels of stake-holders in a conflict.

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Titany answered the question on August 11, 2021 at 07:01