Mediation is one of various procedures of conflict resolution subsumed under the term Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). These methods are 'informal' in the sense of not being regulated by law, but are seen as often being more appropriate than formal planning procedures to today's demand of participation and legitimation.

In general, a mediation process runs through different phases:

• Preparation phase: consists in clarifying who are the central parties to the conflict and their interests, defining a timeline and fixing common agreements about the proceeding
• Negotiation phase: consists in working out the best possible win-win solutions for each party involved in order to find an acceptable consensus / rational dissent
• Translation into action by self-obligation of the partners

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