1. PARTIES MEET

The parties meet and they acknowledge a problem exists. Each party states the reason (as they see it) for the negotiation.

2. EXPLORING THE ISSUES

The negotiation moves into the issues and parties say what their needs and interests are. This is the exploration phase where the parties ask lots of questions and acknowledge the common points.

3. BARGAINING PHASE

Parties move into the bargaining phase where they start to look for possible solutions or options for solving the problem. During this phase the parties may even start moving closer together and there may be a feeling of working together to solve a common problem. Negotiation does not always mean that parties have to be aggressive towards each other. For a negotiation to end in an agreement, one side must show that it is ready to ‘move’ or compromise.

4. REACHING AGREEMENT

The parties reach an agreement. At this point you may need to take the agreement back to the person or group on whose behalf you are negotiating. If the agreement falls within the mandate you were given, then you can make a final agreement.

5. REPORT BACK TO THE GROUP

You will always need to report back to the person or group you were representing to tell them what the outcome of the negotiation was.

6. PUTTING THE SETTLEMENT INTO PRACTICE

Once you agree to something with the other side, then you must make sure that the agreement is put into practice.