On a parachute development project, two key resources disagree about a requirement. What should the project manager do?

The best first step for a project manager facing a conflict between team members is to refer to the established ground rules. These rules, agreed upon by the team at the project's outset, provide a framework for behavior and conflict resolution, promoting self-organization and accountability. Reassigning resources is an extreme measure that avoids the conflict rather than resolving it and can negatively impact project progress. While seeking recommendations from experienced colleagues can be helpful, it's not the immediate first step when internal team agreements exist. Relying solely on the project manager's own experience without consulting team agreements can undermine team autonomy and the value of established processes.