Options: What two elements are required for option building in negotiation?

• A. Define the problem that needs solving and identify possible resources (information, power, time, people, money, etc.) that may be available.
• B. Identify the problem only.
• C. Gather resources but not define the problem.
• D. Options are unnecessary.

Answer: (A)

In option building for negotiation, you plan by clarifying the issue you’re trying to solve and by mapping the resources you can bring to bear. Defining the problem sets the direction for the alternatives you’ll consider, so you’re addressing the real concern and goals of the negotiation. Identifying available resources—such as information, power, time, people, money, and other supports—shows what options are actually feasible and can be pursued, given practical constraints. When you combine these, you generate options that are both relevant to the issue and workable in the real world. If you only identify the problem, you risk proposals that aren’t feasible; if you focus only on resources, you might chase solutions that don’t address the core issue. Options are essential because they shape concrete pathways to reach a satisfactory agreement.