Scenario 3E: Teams are Clashing at Wide-Eye Technology
This scenario involves a dispute between two teams which require a HR manager to set in and facilitate a mediation session to help resolve their dispute.
Role-Play Scenario
The R&D (Research and Development) department of Wide-Eye Technology consists of 2 project development teams (Team A and Team B) with five members in each team. Team A focus on the development of fundamental aspects of the product prototypes, and Team B relies on the output of Team A to work on the advanced elements of the products and finalise the product prototypes before sending them to the production department.
Photo by Marvin Meyer on Unsplash
Team B members always found that they have to spend more time correcting the work of Team A and had less time to focus on the advanced aspects of the products. Team B members had raised this concern with Team A members before, which they did not take very seriously. So, Team B mentioned it to the Head of the Department but never saw any changes in the actions of Team A members. Team B members have noticed that they are falling behind the performance targets due to unnecessary time spent on correcting the mistakes done by Team A members.
Recently, the production and sales departments are putting immense pressure on R&D Team A to complete the new product prototypes quickly and have alerted the fact that Team A will be held accountable if there are any delays in the production process, which could cost a significant loss to the company.
Team B claimed that they were swamped with work as they had to focus on correcting the mistakes done by Team A, which is causing the team to get behind on their own work. Team A took great offence to these claims made by Team B, and they met with the Head of the Department and explained that they were doing the best they could and that the fundamental aspect of the prototype takes more time to develop than the final elements of the prototype.
After Team B’s meeting with the Head of the Department, heated arguments occurred between Team A and Team B members. These arguments lead to an exchange of unpleasant words resulting in Team A members name-calling Team B members.
Team A thinks Team B members are perfectionists and accuses Team B of making up errors. Team B members accused Team A members of their know-it-all attitude, but not doing their tasks correctly.
After these arguments, communication between the two teams broke down, leading to even lower performances in both teams.
The Head of the Department suggested the HR manager acts as a mediator to resolve the dispute between the two teams. Therefore, the HR manager has invited two representatives from each team to attend the mediation session.
Role-Play Instructions
- Organise participants into groups of 5 (2 participants representing Team A and 2 participants representing Team B and an HR manager acting as the mediator).
- Ask participants to read role-play scenario information.
- Suggested role-play time is 60 minutes.
- Preparation time: 10 minutes
- Role-play time: 30 minutes
- Debrief time: 10 minute
- Group debrief time: 10 minutes
Post Role-Play Debrief Questions
At the conclusion of the role-play, it is imperative that the participants are given the opportunity to debrief with each other and other role-playing groups. The debrief should be prefaced by first outlining the importance of feedback in the spirit of learning through action and reflection and not seen as the opportunity to highlight weaknesses or communicate criticism. The following questions can be utilised to guide the debrief process, with the ability to include further content-specific questions on the mediation process and/or skills in accordance with your curriculum.
- How did you find the role-play exercise?
- Were you able to communicate what you wanted to the other party?
- Were both parties satisfied with the outcome of the mediation?
- What role did the mediator play in the mediation?
- How did you feel about the outcome of the mediation session?
- What went well in the role-play?
- What did you find difficult about the role-play?
- What would have helped improve your experience in the role-play?
- What would you do differently next time you engage in a similar conversation?
- What skills were evident in the role-play?
