It has been said that most negotiations are won (or lost) at the preparation stage. Success in a negotiation cannot be claimed unless you can refer back to your objectives and show how you have achieve them. In broad terms, negotiation plans/strategies involve 4 key activities:

1. Developing and prioritising your objectives and limits

2. Seeking to understand TOP's objectives

3. Developing concession plans

4. Planning the resources and logistics required and agreeing team roles.

Questions to gain an understanding of why a negotiation failed

Did we collect and make effective use of all information available when preparing for the negotiation?

Did we set objectives for the negotiation that were stretching and achievable and established MIL objectives?

Did we determine a strategy for the negotiation?

Did the other party understand our needs correctly?

Were we aware of the underlying interests of the other party?

Were our proposals convincing enough for acceptance by the other party?

Did we explore different variables in the negotiation?

Did we fully understand all proposals?

Did we give any unplanned concessions and did we check the importance of these?

Did we focus on common interests?

Did we ask a range of questions?

Did we get answers to all our questions?

Could we answer all the questions addressed to us in a proper and positive way?

Did we summarise effectively?

Did we use different methods of persuasion in the negotiations?

Which tactics did we use and what effect did they have?

Did our negotiating team work well as a team?

Did we help to create a co-operative atmosphere