How important is a party's BATNA to a negotiation? You may provide examples to support your answer.

Negotiation plays a role in people's lives every day, it can be used to resolve disputes, divide limited resources and form structure around future plans. When in a negotiation the goal is for all parties is to walk away in a win-win situation, however often the negotiation process can become difficult and alternatives must be found to resolve the problem. BANTA (Best Alternative To A Negotiated Agreement) is a foundational tool used for creating successful negotiation alternatives, a simple definition of BATNA is "the only standard which can protect you both from accepting terms that are too unfavourable and from rejecting terms it would be in your interest to accept" Spangler, B. (2012).Your BATNA can be tailored for any type of negotiation and is crucial that it is done correctly, otherwise you cannot make an informed decision on whether to move forward with an agreement or push for alternatives. This is why there are many processes in which you are able to use to find your BATNA

The Fisher and Uri process for finding your BATNA is quite simple:

1. develop a list of actions you might conceivably take if no agreement is reached;
2. improve some of the more promising ideas and convert them into practical options; and
3. select, tentatively, the one option that seems best

This process will allow the user to find the strongest and most suitable alternative to use throughout the negotiation.

A strong BATNA has many benefits to is users. It provides and highlights multiple alternatives you may have, and by following the Fisher and Uri process you can choose which alternatives work best and can change them throughout the negotiation process. A strong BATNA can also act as an insurance policy, when it is obvious that both parties are not going to come to terms, your BATNA can allow the position to break off negotiations. Lastly A Strong BATNA can act as a indicator for where you stand throughout the negotiation, as your BANTA may change throughout the negotiation so can your position of power. Your BANTA will allow you to assess these positions and your alternatives you can take. (Chen, J. 2021).

BATNA can also have cons. They can often be hard and sometimes expensive to calculate, they can also s lead to disadvantageous situations when not changed throughout the negotiation process. BATNA's can also have a negative impact on your position if you disclose all of your alternatives to the other party too early through the process. It is also important to remember that if you are in a situation where you use your BATNA, to remember that it is a part of the negotiation process and nothing is ever set in stone. If you offer one alternative and are not willing to change or discuss it with the other party, you will most likely end in a situation where you have no agreement or the negotiation can beome hostile. (Chen, J. 2021).

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