Needs, Priorities, Resources, Constraints Planning

Needs, Priorities, Resources, Constraints Planning ToolThe first rule of negotiation is that the person who plans better obtains better results! The purpose of this simple planning guide is to give you an opportunity to think about an upcoming negotiation, and begin the process of actively planning for what you want, and how you are going to achieve it.At a minimum, your negotiation planning process should address four specific areas:* Needs and Interests* Priorities* Resources* ConstraintsEach of these four areas should be addressed for YOU and for THE OTHER:* Needs refer to what you really want to achieve out of a negotiation. An Issue is a specific negotiable element of your deal; a position is a specific goal you want to achieve on that issue; and Interests or Needs are the more basic underlying concerns or motivational factors that motivate a particular position.* Priorities refer to the relative importance of needs and interests. In general, we try to distinguish among those Needs which we "must have", "prefer to have", or "would like to have if we could get everything". Priorities are best understood when we can put in them order of our preferences.* Resources refer to tools and aids