The transformative approach employs revised criteria of intervention success or failure. Transformative criteria include such considerations as accessibility and affordability of the process, and the justice and finality of the outcome. It assesses the inclusiveness of the process, the degree of improvement in parties' self-understandings, and in their ability to deal with future disputes. Transformative practice also incorporates consideration of broader philosophic questions about the meaning of mediation practice into the ongoing research and practice in the field. The future of the transformative approach to conflict rests on continuing research and development.
Dukes suggests several areas which merit further development.
First, Dukes emphasizes the need for ongoing reflection and investigation into values and practices of transformative mediation. Recognizing that conflict resolution is a social movement, transformative practitioners should continue to foster links or ties within the conflict resolution community, and with practitioners in other fields. They should also foster links with other social movements, such as ecoactivism, peace action, and feminism. Second, Dukes stresses the need for ongoing education in negotiation skills, in the sources and structures of violence, and in promoting social change. Educational work should also seek to recognize cultural biases in the field and work to recruit minorities into the field.