Your IT team and vendors clash on project approaches. How can you find common ground?

Typically, the internal team and the vendor come into conflict when a delivery start to fail. In this case, I try to talk to both parties to understand their needs and seek common ground between them. After that, I facilitate a discussion, reminding them of our shared objective and strategy.

To find common ground between your IT team and vendors when their project approaches clash, it's critical to understand the project's long-term support strategy. If the vendor will manage support, it's wise to lean toward their solution while ensuring your IT team understands the clear division of responsibilities. However, if your IT team will manage ongoing support, obtaining their buy-in is essential. Push the vendor to educate your team on their perspective. Ultimately, if you trust your in-house talent, the onus is on the vendor to either convince or adapt. This balance is crucial for the long-term success and sustainability of the project.

To resolve clashes between your IT team and vendors, focus on open communication and collaboration. Start by facilitating a discussion where both parties can express their concerns and priorities. Identify shared goals and objectives, then work towards a compromise that aligns with the overall project vision. Encourage flexibility from both sides, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in achieving successful outcomes. Mediating these conversations and fostering mutual respect will help bridge differences and establish a common approach that satisfies both your team and the vendors.

I would begin by facilitating a structured discussion where both the IT team and vendors can outline their priorities and constraints. From there, I’d focus on aligning both sides with the overarching business objectives—whether it’s scalability, cost-efficiency, or time-to-market. Leveraging data and past performance metrics, I’d drive a fact-based approach to decision-making. If needed, I’d propose phased rollouts or proof-of-concept tests to validate approaches before full implementation. Ensuring continuous communication and emphasizing the long-term strategic goals would help find common ground and keep the project moving forward.

Call a direct meeting with the IT team and suppliers to discuss the points of conflict. Make it clear that the goal is to align expectations and avoid delays. Ask each side to present their solutions and seek a practical middle ground, prioritizing what is essential for the project. If necessary, establish commitments with clear deadlines and strengthen communication to prevent future misunderstandings.