Main Page Module 1: Definitions Module 2: Illustrations Module 3: Testing for Comprehension

Module 3: Testing for Comprehension Introduction This final section tests for understanding of positions and interests. Statements are presented for identification as either a position or an interest. There are three levels of difficulty: Basic Moderate High

Situation: A conflict among coworkers about who should be the lead person on a new project.

1. I oppose George being the lead person on the project.
   Position | Interest
2. George is best suited to lead the project because he has the most seniority.
   Position | Interest
3. I want to lead the project so I can get the management experience to help me get a promotion.
   Position | Interest
4. Maria should lead the project because she has the best relationship with the organization that donated the money for the project.
   Position | Interest

Situation: The situation is a discussion about what kind of flowers, bushes and trees should be planted in the median of a major road in the city. A citizen speaks in favor of having shade trees planted and the City’s Public Works Director speaks against the citizen’s idea.

1. Citizen: The city should plant only shade trees in the medians.
   Position | Interest
2. Citizen: Shade trees are more attractive and provide shade for cooling the areas near the roads.
   Position | Interest
3. Public Works Director: The city should not plant shade trees in the medians.
   Position | Interest
4. Public Works Director: Large shade trees are hazards – cars might run in to them and seriously hurt the drivers and passengers. The city also has higher priorities for landscaping funds.
   Position | Interest

Situation: A town committee discussing whether to have trash pick-up once or twice a week.

1. We’ve always had twice a week trash pick-up.
   Position | Interest
2. The citizens want good services; they want twice a week trash pick-up.
   Position | Interest
3. We can extend the life of our sanitation equipment if we have once a week trash pickup.
   Position | Interest
4. We need to have once a week trash collection.
   Position | Interest
   

Situation: a group deciding on new rules for “welfare to work” program

1. We have to choose: either we invest in job development training workshops or put people in a workplace as entry-level workers – we can’t do both.
   Position | Interest
2. Because the options for childcare are so limited, I don’t think the full-day job development training workshops will work.
   Position | Interest
3. David, your idea for 10 hours of training a week for mothers with young children is totally unrealistic.
   Position | Interest
4. What we need to do is increase welfare recipients self-esteem, give them specific workplace skills, and have adequate childcare arrangements.
   Position | Interest

High Level -- Testing for Understanding of Positions and Interests

In this test of comprehension of positions and interests, you will read information about two people facing a negotiation. Instead of looking at separate statements and deciding if they are positions and interests, you will create your own examples of positions and interests and compare them to an answer key.

The negotiation is between the owner of Gorpen Construction and a state Environmental Enforcement Department official. This scenario was developed by Tom Taylor, Rafael Montalvo and others at the Florida Conflict Resolution Consortium, Used by permission of Tom Taylor – January 2004.

Some information is held in common by both negotiators, and other information and ideas are specific to only one person.

Common Background Information

Gorpen Construction is a medium-sized residential developer active throughout the southern part of the state. The state Environmental Enforcement Department has been alerted to the fact that Gorpen has used fill contaminated with petroleum products in the construction of an access road for a large new residential development in the town of Rootville. The fill has been used principally to raise the road and allow culverts to pass underneath, preserving the flow of two small sloughs on site. The roadbed has been prepared, but paving has been postponed until resolution of the uncertainty surrounding the fill. The company which sold the contaminated fill has gone bankrupt, and the principals appear to have fled the country. Today's meeting is between representatives of Gorpen and the Environmental Enforcement Department. Its purpose is to determine whether Gorpen will be responsible for the clean-up, and the amount of the fine, if any, which Gorpen will have to pay.

Next, you’ll learn the views of the owner of Gorpen Construction. After this information, you’ll be asked to list the position(s) of the owner, and the owner’s interests.

Assignment 1: Owner of Gorpen Construction: Confidential Information

Assignment 2: Environmental Enforcement Department official: Confidential Information

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