Identify My BATNA Before Any High-Stakes Negotiation

Walking into a big negotiation without knowing your alternative is how people get talked into bad deals. This works through your realistic options if it all falls through, ranks them, picks your strongest one, and then looks at how to make it better. You go in knowing exactly when to say no.

I am preparing for a high-stakes negotiation: {NEGOTIATION_CONTEXT}. My goal is {PRIMARY_GOAL}. Help me systematically identify and strengthen my BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement) using the following framework:

1. List all realistic alternatives I have if this negotiation fails, given these constraints: {CONSTRAINTS}
2. Rank those alternatives by value and feasibility
3. Identify the single strongest BATNA and explain what I would need to do to make it even more attractive before entering the negotiation
4. Determine my reservation point: the worst acceptable outcome before I should walk away
5. Suggest how I can signal my BATNA credibly without revealing desperation or bluffing

Be direct and specific. Flag any assumptions you are making about my situation.