Lees migrations model characterizes migration in terms of positive and negative factors of the origin and the destination

places. He also states that there are intervening obstacles that must be considered when migrating. In order for migration to occur, there must be more positive, or pull factors, in the destination than that of the origin, compounded by negative, or push factors. Too many intervening obstacles can slow down or even stop migration.

Both an advantage and disadvantage of this model is that it oversimplifies the process of migration. Smaller details may be overlooked, but the advantage is that it gives the migrant a quick and easy way to compare the two places.