Conflicts are often perplexing to both participants and outsiders. Usually, however, an interpersonal conflict is operating as a system of relations, com- plete with repetitive behavior, rules, and other identifiable dynamics. There are many possible ways to assess conflict patterns. Metaphoric/dramatic approaches search for the images of the process held by the participants and use those as stepping stones for creative management options. Drawing coalitions and charting triangular relations also provide useful information about system dynamics. One also can focus on system rules, the prescrip- tions for what one ought to do in a given situation. Microevents are observable, recurring patterns of behavior that can be analyzed for underlying con- flict structure. Finally, interviews and simple obser- vation are essential tools of conflict analysis. The Wilmot-Hocker and the Difficult Conversations guides are two overall assessment guides used to generate information about the dynamics of specific conflicts; they can be used either by conflict par- ticipants or by outside observers.