Often the process will need to be modified as the situation develops and new facts arise. Another principle is that mangers should try to anticipate what might go wrong in negotiations. The manager's general plan should include techniques for managing the sorts of negotiation problems that are likely to arise. In order to make progress in resolving a conflict, the parties and managers must have a positive working relationship. Parties must communicate and have some trust in each other.
Lack of communication leads to polarization, and hostile relations lead to conflict escalation.
Parties to a conflict must also work together to develop a constructive definition of their problem. Simple yes-no formulations of the problem should be avoided. Just as parties must help define the problem, parties should help design the conflict resolution process and the conflict solution. Parties are more accepting of solutions which they themselves have developed. Next, managers should emphasize issues rather than positions.