Both the facility and IT managers are asked to assign staff to work together on a major project. Halfway through the project, a power struggle emerges due to divergent views. How should the managers initially intervene?
The best initial response to a power struggle in a project team is to reestablish meeting guidelines (Option A).
Why Option A is Correct?
Reestablishing clear expectations, roles, and communication norms helps resolve conflicts without escalation.
IFMA’s Human Factors and Leadership & Strategy competencies emphasize that FM professionals must facilitate collaboration and team alignment in cross-functional projects.
Clear meeting guidelines help maintain focus on project objectives rather than departmental conflicts.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect?
Option B (Reassign additional members from each department): Adding more people does not resolve underlying conflicts and may create further division.
Option C (Reassign project managers): Changing leadership midway through a project can disrupt progress and should be a last resort.
[Reference:, IFMA Core Competency: Human Factors & Leadership Strategy – Effective conflict resolution and collaboration in FM., Source: IFMA Leadership & Communication Guide (IFMA, 2023)., , , ]
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