Force-Field Analysis is a structured decision making technique to help you improve the chances your change project or program is successful.
The idea behind Force-Field Analysis is that when change isn't moving forwards as you would like it's because there are equally strong restraining forces holding back the driving forces.
To get your change project or program back on track you can either lessen the impact of the restraining forces or you can increase the potency of the driving forces (or both).
The process laid out below visualizes your current position and helps you and your group / team rebalance the forces in your favor so the change becomes much more likely to succeed.
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Objectives
What Is Force-Field Analysis?
When Would You Use It?
Are There Any Rules?
Resources Required
Process
- 1Clearly state what change you are looking to bring about (or perhaps it is an option for change that you wish to explore). Write this at the top of your diagram.
- 2Draw a vertical line down from the statement of change. On the right of the line, you can brainstorm the driving forces; on the left of the line, you can brainstorm the restraining forces.
- 3For each force, agree a score between 0 and 5 to reflect the extent of the impact (positive or negative).
- 4Draw an arrow where the length is equivalent to the score agreed and the thickness of the arrow is used to represent the relative importance of the force.
- 5Brainstorm (or use a problem-solving technique like Problem Solving Team Building) to generate solutions for increasing driving forces and reducing restraining forces.
- 6Create an action plan using the action plan template.
Example (of a school using force-field analysis)
Action Plan Template
Strategy (How?) | Action (What?) | Responsible (Who?) | Location (Where?) | Timing (When?) |
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I have been teaching change but I like the way you have shown graphically how each factor effects change and how the thickness of the arrows depicts the force of that factor. Force field analysis is worth taking to class.
Thank you for the hard work quality