What Are the Steps in the Negotiation Process?
The negotiation process is a complex series of actions that seeks to provide a mutually agreeable outcome to two dissenting parties. Formal negotiations may take place with the assistance of a trained mediator who serves as an impartial third party in navigating the issues at hand. For a professional negotiator, the process may follow a series of definitive steps. Negotiations can also take place on a more informal level, however, and the process in these instances can become less structured. The first step in any negotiation process involves understanding the issue at hand. This step often takes place before the two parties enter into formal talks. Each side must come into the negotiations with a clear idea of what the conflict is and what he wants to gain from the proceedings.
