Force Field Analysis

The Force Field Analysis was developed by American social psychologist Kurt Lewin as a useful tool built on the idea that forces are often driven by habits, customs, and attitudes that can affect the change process.According to Lewin there are two main forces acting for and against change in and social system. Within the organisation are to be detected:

• driving forces that operate for change
• restraining forces which act to maintain the status quo

It will be useful when looking at the variables involved in planning and implementing a change program and will undoubtedly be of use in team building projects,when attempting to overcome resistance to change.

Driving Forces
-Driving forces are those forces affecting a situation that are pushing in a particular direction; they tend to initiate a change and keep it going. In terms of improving productivity in a work group, pressure from a supervisor, incentive earnings, and competition may be examples of driving forces.

Restraining Forces
- Restraining forces are forces acting to restrain or decrease the driving forces. Apathy, hostility, and poor maintenance of equipment may be examples of restraining forces against increased production. Equilibrium is reached when the sum of the driving forces equals the sum of the restraining forces.

Force Field Analysis are shown:


For example, imagine that you are a manager deciding whether to install new manufacturing equipment in your factory. You might draw up a force field analysis like the one in Figure 1:

Force Field Analysis is a useful technique for looking at all the forces for and against a plan. It helps you to weigh the importance of these factors and decide whether a plan is worth implementing.
Where you have decided to carry out a plan, Force Field Analysis helps you identify changes that you could make to improve it.

Reference:
(1) David Williamson, Peter Cooke, Wyn Jenkins, and Keith Michael Moreton : Strategic Management and Business Analysis .
(2) Mindtools.