<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (July 2013) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (July 2013) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> In negotiation theory, the best alternative to a negotiated agreement or BATNA is the most advantageous alternative course of action a party can take if negotiations fail and an agreement cannot be reached . This could include diverse situation, such as suspension of negotiations, transition to another negotiating partner, appeal to the court's ruling, the execution of strikes, and the formation of other forms of alliances . BATNA is the key focus and the driving force behind a successful negotiator . 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 . </P> <P> The BATNA is often seen by negotiators not as a safety net, but rather as a point of leverage in negotiations . Although a negotiator's alternative options should, in theory, be straightforward to evaluate, the effort to understand which alternative represents a party's BATNA is often not invested . Options need to be actual and actionable to be of value, however without the investment of time, options will frequently be included that fail on one of these criteria . Most managers overestimate their BATNA whilst simultaneously investing too little time into researching their real options . This can result in poor or faulty decision making and negotiating . Negotiators also need to be aware of the other negotiator's BATNA and to identify how it compares to what they are offering . </P>

What is the meaning of batna in negotiation