Force Field Analysis

How to guide
 Force Field Analysis Overview

The Field Field Analysis What is it?

tool for change
management was Force Field Analysis is a tool that allows a change prac66oner to visually map and
created by Kurt Lewin analyse the driving and resis6ng forces behind a project/ini6a6ve.

Known as one of the
The model portrays driving forces (those that are working in the direc6on of the
modern pioneers in
social, organiza6onal and change) and resis6ng/restraining forces (those that tend to support the status quo).
applied psychology, Kurt These are arranged as a field of opposing forces, or as a force field.
Lewin, a German-
American psychologist
(born in Poland in 1890),
Why use it?
was a professor at the
University of Berlin A force field map helps iden6fy what can be done to minimise the resis6ng forces and
between 1926 and 1932 strengthen the enabling forces, helping in the formula6on of an effec6ve change
before moving to the strategy.
United States in 1933.

To increase the probability of success, you should:
Lewin worked as a
professor in a number of
US universi6es before •  reduce the strength of the forces opposing a project, or
eventually becoming •  increase the forces pushing in favour of a project
director of the Centre for
Group Dynamics at O\en the most elegant solu6on is the first, as trying to force change through may cause
MassachuseQs Ins6tute
of Technology (MIT).
people to become uncoopera6ve.

For more on Kurt Lewin,
check out this link
 How to use it: Driving Forces

What are Driving Forces? 1. Define the desired outcome of the change

Driving forces push to Define the current the current state and specify the desired future state.
influence a situa6on in
par6cular direc6on. Driving

forces work to support a 2. Determine the driving forces
stated goal or objec6ve.

They are usually seen as Think about these as broadly as possible. These may include feelings, social pressures,
‘posi6ve’ forces that physical resources, financial factors, personality factors, etc.
facilitate change.

Examples of some Driving 3. Rate the driving forces from 1 to 5
forces include:
•  new personnel

•  changing markets •  It has almost nothing to do with the drive towards change – 1
•  new technology •  It has rela6vely liQle to do with the drive towards change – 2
•  compe66on •  It is of moderate importance in the drive towards change – 3
•  pressure from
management •  It is an important factor – 4
•  Incen6ves •  It is a major factor – 5

Others may include:
•  poli6cs
Item Forces for change RaKng
•  legisla6on
•  shareholders
•  public opinion


 How to use it: Restraining Forces

What are Restraining 4. Determine the opposing forces

Forces? There are probably a range of opposing forces which support the status quo: direct,
indirect, internal, external.
Restraining forces work to
block or counter progress

towards a goal or objec6ve. These forces are not necessarily matching or equal in number. Rate these forces from
1-5.
They tend to limit or
decrease the Driving forces.
Item Forces against change RaKng
Examples include, for
example:

•  an individual’s fear of
failure
•  organisa6onal iner6a or
apathy
•  hos6lity

5. Create the force field
Represent each force with an arrow: drivers to the le\ of the “current state”
line, pushing right, and restrainers on the opposite side pushing back.
Represent the strength of the force by the size and length of the arrow.

6.  IdenKfy ways to maximize the net force for change
Consider ac6ons that may be taken to increase the current driving forces for
the change, to introduce fresh driving forces, and to reduce exis6ng
restraining forces. Focus change strategies on the strongest forces that are
within the prac6cal range of influence. It is o\en useful to aQack those forces
that are easiest to change first, as it shows ‘quick wins’ and these may
themselves posi6vely influence other factors for change.
 Force Field Template

Using the diagram, you plot

the forces.
Driving forces Restraining forces Increasing Net
Doing this helps you in your forces for change
understanding of a complex
environment.

You can then use this visual
to facilitate discussion with
key decision-makers before
an ac6on plan is devised.
 Force Field Template - example

Think through the

magnitude of the Driving forces Restraining forces Increasing Net
driving and forces for change
restraining forces.
Cost Fear of role
Emphasize cost savings in
cujng changes
Develop ac6ons to communica6ons
increase the net
forces for change.
Staff
Morale Raise morale by crea6ng incen6ves
dissa6sfac6on to support the change

Streamlined process: data Downstream impacts Involve downstream staff members

kept in one place on other systems to cover off risks

Increased Disrup6on to Systems put in place to minimize

compe66on business as disrup6on to business
usual

Enroll leadership and create

Project sponsor Environmental change champions who visibly
pressure impacts of support the change.
technology