Answer: In conflict analysis, defining parties' needs is indeed a crucial step. Once the needs are identified, understanding their characteristics helps in determining how they contribute to the conflict dynamics. Among the options provided:
C. Important
Identifying the importance of each party's needs is vital because it helps in understanding the underlying motivations and priorities driving the conflict. By recognizing which needs are most significant to each party, mediators or conflict resolution specialists can devise strategies to address those needs and potentially find common ground for resolution.
Explanation: