What course of action can be taken by a party if the current negotiations fail and an agreement
cannot be reached?

A.
ZOPA

B.
PON

C.
Bias

D.
BATNA

Explanation:
In negotiation theory, the best alternative to a negotiated agreement or BATNA is the course of
action that will be taken by a party if the current negotiations fail and an agreement cannot be
reached. BATNA is the key focus and the driving force behind a successful negotiator. BATNA should
not be confused with the reservation point or walk away point. A party should generally not accept a
worse resolution than its BATNA. Care should be taken, however, to ensure that deals are accurately
valued, taking into account all considerations, such as relationship value, time value of money and
the likelihood that the other party will live up to their side of the bargain. These other considerations

are often difficult to value, since they are frequently based on uncertain or qualitative
considerations, rather than easily measurable and quantifiable factors.
Answer option A is incorrect. The zone of possible agreement (ZOPA), in sales and negotiations,
describes the intellectual zone between two parties where an agreement can be met which both
parties can agree to. Within this zone, an agreement is possible. Outside of the zone, no amount of
negotiation will yield an agreement.
Answer option B is incorrect. The Program on Negotiation (PON) is a research center for the study
and teaching of negotiation and conflict resolution. It was established as a consortium between
Harvard, MIT, and Tufts University almost 25 years ago and is located at Harvard Law School. PON
sponsors events, visiting scholars and researchers, graduate research fellows and conferences. It also
offers negotiation and conflict resolution educational opportunities for students and professionals,
and publishes the monthly Negotiation newsletter, quarterly Negotiation Journal, and the annual
Harvard Negotiation Law Review.
Answer option C is incorrect. Bias is a term used to describe a tendency or preference towards a
particular perspective, ideology or result, when the tendency interferes with the ability to be
impartial, unprejudiced, or objective. In other words, bias is generally seen as a ‘one-sided’
perspective. The term biased refers to a person or group who is judged to exhibit bias. It is used to
describe an attitude, judgment, or behavior that is influenced by a prejudice. Bias can be
unconscious or conscious in awareness. Having a bias is part of a normal development. Labeling
someone as biased in some regard implies they need a greater or more flexible perspective in that
area, or that they need to
consider more deeply the context.