Construction projects are beset with disputes. In 1960 around 250 writs were issued relating to construction disputes. Within 30 years this number increased five-fold, and in the 20 years since then the number of disputes has not fallen. Some disputes are significant, others are quite minor, but most could probably be avoided. Disputes originate in disagreements or conflict between individuals, which if addressed early, can prevent escalation into situations that are difficult, expensive and time consuming to resolve. Conflicts in Construction deals with all types of conflict but concentrates on the conflicts that lead to disputes in construction projects. The book shows the reader how to avoid, manage and resolve conflicts before they become serious disputes. The first edition of Conflicts in Construction was read widely and saved many individuals and companies from falling into intractable disputes. The second edition, fully updated, forms the base content for the Hill/ Knowles seminar series on conflicts, delivered around the globe by the author, and will be an important read for everyone employed in the construction industry.

Construction projects are beset with disputes. In 1960 around250 writs were issued relating to construction disputes. Within 30years this number increased five-fold, and in the 20 years sincethen the number of disputes has not fallen. Some disputes aresignificant, others are quite minor, but most could probably beavoided. Disputes originate in disagreements or conflict betweenindividuals, which if addressed early, can prevent escalation intosituations that are difficult, expensive and time consuming toresolve.Conflicts in Construction deals with all types ofconflict but concentrates on the conflicts that lead to disputes inconstruction projects. The book shows the reader how to avoidmanage and resolve conflicts before they become seriousdisputes.The first edition of Conflicts in Construction was readwidely and saved many individuals and companies from falling intointractable disputes. The second edition, fully updated, forms thebase content for the Hill/ Knowles seminar series on conflictsdelivered around the globe by the author, and will be an importantread for everyone employed in the construction industry.

Preface vii1 Conflicts in Construction 11.1 Recent history 21.2 Understanding conflict 31.3 Addressing conflict 31.4 Positive aspects of a conflict 41.5 The real causes of conflict 62 Why Do We Need to Manage Conflict? 112.1 Functional conflict 122.2 Dysfunctional conflict 123 Causes of Conflict 193.1 A conflict of ideas 193.2 A conflict of beliefs 223.3 A conflict of interests 243.4 The Fertile Ground Theory 253.5 Internal conflict 293.6 Internal conflict in construction 343.7 Other factors 384 Dishonesty and Self Deception 414.1 Plain dishonesty 414.2 Self delusion 434.3 Cognitive Dissonance 444.4 Confirmative Bias 455 Interpersonal Relationships 495.1 Anthropological factors 505.2 Sociological factors 525.3 Physiological factors 545.4 Psychological factors 545.5 Prejudice 575.6 Personality types 575.7 The urge to conflict 626 Anatomy of a Construction Project 636.1 Overview of the project and the parties 636.2 The pre-contract period 656.3 The contract period 676.4 The dispute period 696.5 Summary and analysis of the dispute 717 Twelve Steps for Reducing Conflict 737.1 Step 1: Communicate with precision 737.2 Step 2: Listen and consider attentively 757.3 Step 3: Think before speaking 767.4 Step 4: Take time to build relationships 787.5 Step 5: Be honest in your dealings with others 797.6 Step 6: Do not dispute trivial matters 807.7 Step 7: Look for common ground 807.8 Step 8: Recognise and avoid prejudice 817.9 Step 9: Express your understanding 827.10 Step 10: Control your emotions 837.11 Step 11: Apologise gracefully if you are wrong 847.12 Step 12: Accept apologies gracefully if others are in thewrong 868 Reducing Conflict 878.1 People, people, people 878.2 Interpersonal techniques 888.3 Perceptions and personalities 898.4 Tactical behaviour 958.5 Summary 979 Managing Conflict 999.1 Simple resolution techniques 999.2 Control of conflict 1029.3 Conflict prevention 1039.4 Prevent conflict from spreading 1059.5 Call the professionals 1069.6 Summary 10710 Informal Dispute Resolution 10910.1 Negotiation 10910.2 Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) 11911 Formal Dispute Resolution 12311.1 General principles of dispute management 12311.2 Arbitration and Litigation 12511.3 Arbitration explained 12511.4 Litigation explained 12812 Conflict in Changing and Challenging Markets 13312.1 Will people change? 13312.2 Will contracts change? 13512.3 Does Europe have anything better to offer? 13712.4 Conflict in changing market conditions 13812.5 More conflict or less conflict - you decide! 138Index 139