Everyone negotiates, but most are not aware they are doing it, and it is an inherent part of everyday life. The purpose of any negotiation is to reach an agreement that resolves a point of difference or an understanding of a course of action.

In its most common applications, it is typically a give-and-take process where the parties (whose goals and objectives initially conflict) seek a common ground from which to fashion an agreement or understanding. It is a process that seeks a solution or set of solutions based on compromise.