What Has Made the Biggest Difference in Dispute Avoidance?

I was discussing a recent project with a few colleagues where small concerns gradually developed into larger disagreements, and it made me think about the importance of dispute avoidance rather than trying to resolve issues after they have escalated. I have not had much direct experience with this approach, so I am curious about what strategies people have found most effective in practice. Was it proactive communication, stronger documentation, regular project reviews, or involving independent advice before problems became more serious? I would really appreciate hearing real experiences and practical insights from those who have successfully avoided disputes on their projects.