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New Metric Template: Conflict Resolution and Mediation #548

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New Metric Template: Conflict Resolution and Mediation
peculiaruc Jan 23, 2025
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peculiaruc Jan 23, 2025
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# Conflict Resolution and Mediation

Question: **How do open source maintainers address conflict that may arise while collaborating on a project?**
**Question:** How do open source maintainers address conflict that may arise while collaborating on a project?

## Description
## Overview:

Conflicts are bound to occur whenever humans interact; it is no different in open-source projects where a wide range of contributors with varying personalities, objectives, and viewpoints collaborate. Navigating conflicts and identifying the root causes of these disputes, and effectively addressing them through communication and resolution methods when they arise is crucial. Employing the right conflict resolution and mediation processes within open-source communities can improve inclusive participation across a diverse audience.
Conflict Resolution and Mediation measures how effectively open-source projects address and resolve disagreements among contributors. Data points include the frequency and nature of conflicts, the methods used for resolution (e.g., discussion, mediation, voting), and the time taken to resolve disputes. Effective conflict resolution create’s a positive and productive environment, preventing escalation and maintaining contributor engagement. This metric helps leaders like community managers, OSPO managers, project maintainers etc. to navigate disagreements constructively. Community managers can use this metric to assess conflict resolution effectiveness for a healthy community. OSPO managers uses it to inform conflict resolution policies. Event organizers also use it to identify positive conflict resolution practices at events. Project maintainers can use it to learn how to maintain positive relationships and healthy collaboration within the community.
Inclusive conflict resolution processes ensure that all voices are heard and that disputes are resolved fairly, regardless of contributors' backgrounds. This creates a more welcoming and equitable environment, encouraging diverse participation and promoting a sense of belonging within the community.

## Want to Know More?

## Objectives
<span markdown="1"><details>

* A community manager is interested in this metric because it helps gauge the effectiveness of conflict resolution strategies in maintaining a healthy and productive community.
* An OSPO (Open Source Program Office) manager is interested in this metric because it can inform the development of conflict resolution policies and procedures.
* An event organizer is interested in this metric because it can help recognize healthy ways towards conflict resolution at events.
* A project maintainer is interested in this metric because it can help maintain positive relationships, healthy collaboration and communication in a community.
<summary>Click to read more about this metric.</summary>


## Implementation

### Data we might look at includes:
### Data Collection Strategies

Identification of Conflicts:

* Are details about the conflict resolution and mediation process included in the project governance (or linked from the governance documentation?
* Does the project offer any conflict resolution training to maintainers or leaders in the community?
* Do community members know how conflicts are resolved? Is there a documented process for mediation when community members disagree?
* Are there different conflict resolution policies for technical disagreements and personal disagreements?
* Is there a way to indicate when “conversations” turn into “conflict?”
* Is the mediation party a neutral third party? How is neutrality defined?
* Is there a medium in which community members can report incidents where conflicts arise?
* What are the materials presented to analyse the origin of these conflicts?
* Are details about the conflict resolution and mediation process included in the project governance (or linked from the governance documentation?
* Does the project offer any conflict resolution training to maintainers or leaders in the community?
* Do community members know how conflicts are resolved?
* Is there a documented process for mediation when community members disagree?
* Are there different conflict resolution policies for technical disagreements and personal disagreements?
* Is there a way to indicate when “conversations” turn into “conflict?”
* Is the mediation party a neutral third party? How is neutrality defined?
* Is there a medium in which community members can report incidents where conflicts arise?
* What are the materials presented to analyse the origin of these conflicts?

Example survey questions to gauge people’s satisfaction with and knowledge of the process:

* Likert scale [1-x] item: I feel that there are conflicts in the community that go unresolved.
* Likert scale [1-x] item: I feel that conflicts within the community have a negative impact for other community members.
* Likert scale [1-x] item: If I had a conflict within the community, I know where to turn to find resolution.
* Likert scale [1-x] item: There are specific areas within the community where conflict continually arises
* Likert scale [1-x] item: Conflicts in my community become personal
* Likert scale \[1-x] item: I feel that there are conflicts in the community that go unresolved.
* Likert scale \[1-x] item: I feel that conflicts within the community have a negative impact for other community members.
* Likert scale \[1-x] item: If I had a conflict within the community, I know where to turn to find resolution.
* Likert scale \[1-x] item: There are specific areas within the community where conflict continually arises.
* Likert scale \[1-x] item: Conflicts in my community become personal.

</details></span><br>

## References

* [GitLab Code of Conduct Remediation Record](https://gitlab.com/tgdp/templates/-/blob/main/code-of-conduct/guide-code-of-conduct-remediation-record.md?ref_type=heads)
* [How can you apply conflict mediation principles to achieve your goals?](https://www.linkedin.com/advice/1/how-can-you-apply-conflict-mediation-principles)
* [Conflict resolution: A primer | Opensource.com](https://opensource.com/life/16/5/conflict-resolution-primer)
* [A Proposal for a Pragmatic, Adaptable, Open-Source Approach to Mediation](https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2572265)
* [Dealing With Open Source Conflict | Code Engineered](https://codeengineered.com/blog/2018/open-source-conflict/)
* [Mediation and the Conflict Resolution Process - PON - Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School](https://www.pon.harvard.edu/daily/conflict-resolution/mediation-and-conflict-resolution/)
* [https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/conflict-resolution-open-source-communities-anna-syed/](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/conflict-resolution-open-source-communities-anna-syed/)

* [GitLab Code of Conduct Remediation Record](https://gitlab.com/tgdp/templates/-/blob/main/code-of-conduct/guide-code-of-conduct-remediation-record.md?ref_type=heads)
* [How can you apply conflict mediation principles to achieve your goals?](https://www.linkedin.com/advice/1/how-can-you-apply-conflict-mediation-principles)
* [Conflict resolution: A primer | Opensource.com](https://opensource.com/life/16/5/conflict-resolution-primer)
* [A Proposal for a Pragmatic, Adaptable, Open-Source Approach to Mediation](https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2572265)
* [Dealing With Open Source Conflict | Code Engineered](https://codeengineered.com/blog/2018/open-source-conflict/)
* [Mediation and the Conflict Resolution Process - PON - Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School](https://www.pon.harvard.edu/daily/conflict-resolution/mediation-and-conflict-resolution/)
* <https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/conflict-resolution-open-source-communities-anna-syed/>

## Known Contributors

* Anita Ihuman
* Dawn Foster
* Sean Goggins
* Matt Germonprez
* Elizabeth Barron
* Daniel Murphy
* Katie Schueths
* Anita Ihuman
* Dawn Foster
* Sean Goggins
* Matt Germonprez
* Elizabeth Barron
* Daniel Murphy
* Katie Schueths
* Peculiar C Umeh

## Additional Information

To edit this metric please [submit a Change Request here](https://github.com/chaoss/wg-dei/blob/main/focus-areas/project-and-community/conflict-resolution-and-mediation.md)<br>
To reference this metric in software or publications please use this stable URL: <https://chaoss.community/?p=5430>

<!-- # For groupings in the knowledge base
Context tags: Project, Governance and Leadership
Keyword tags: conflict, communication, mediation
-->