How can you evaluate a third-party mediator's effectiveness in partnership negotiations?

1 Mediator's role

The first thing you need to clarify is what role the mediator is playing in the negotiation process. Is the mediator acting as a neutral facilitator, a substantive expert, a process consultant, a bridge builder, or a combination of these? Different roles may require different skills, approaches, and outcomes. For example, a neutral facilitator may focus on creating a safe and respectful space for dialogue, while a substantive expert may provide technical advice or information to the parties. You should assess the mediator's role based on your expectations, needs, and preferences, as well as the mediator's credentials, experience, and reputation.

2 Negotiation outcomes

The second thing you need to measure is the results of the negotiation. What are the tangible and intangible outcomes that the mediation has produced or contributed to? Tangible outcomes may include a written agreement, a joint action plan, a resolution of a dispute, or a commitment to a partnership. Intangible outcomes may include improved communication, trust, understanding, or satisfaction among the parties. You should evaluate the negotiation outcomes based on your objectives, interests, and values, as well as the feedback from the other party and the mediator.

3 Negotiation process

The third thing you need to examine is the quality of the negotiation process. How did the mediator manage the interaction, communication, and decision-making among the parties? How did the mediator handle the challenges, conflicts, and emotions that arose during the negotiation? How did the mediator balance the power, participation, and influence of the parties? You should evaluate the negotiation process based on your perception, experience, and feelings, as well as the observation, reflection, and feedback from the other party and the mediator.

4 Mediator's performance

The fourth thing you need to review is the mediator's performance. How did the mediator demonstrate competence, professionalism, ethics, and impartiality in the mediation? How did the mediator use appropriate techniques, strategies, and tools to facilitate the negotiation? How did the mediator adapt to the changing circumstances, needs, and preferences of the parties? You should review the mediator's performance based on your standards, criteria, and expectations, as well as the evidence, examples, and feedback from the other party and the mediator.

5 Mediator's feedback

The fifth thing you need to solicit is the mediator's feedback. What are the mediator's insights, opinions, and suggestions on the negotiation outcomes, process, and performance? How does the mediator evaluate his or her own role, skills, and effectiveness in the mediation? How does the mediator compare and contrast the mediation with other similar or different cases? You should solicit the mediator's feedback based on your curiosity, learning, and improvement goals, as well as the questions, comments, and feedback from the other party and the mediator.

6 Evaluation methods

When evaluating the mediator's effectiveness, you can choose from a range of methods, depending on the purpose, scope, and timing of the evaluation. These include self-evaluation, peer evaluation, client evaluation, mediator evaluation, and mixed evaluation. You can collect and analyze the data through surveys, interviews, focus groups, diaries, or reports. Additionally, you can quantify and qualify the results with scores, ratings, comments, or testimonials.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?