Force Field Analysis
Force-field analysis identifies the driving and restraining forces for change and then examines ways of increasing the 'drivers' and reducing the 'restrainers'.
It is a simple and widely used tool for visualising the various forces and identifying actions to support the implementation of change. The following assertions apply:
- Increasing the driving forces results in an increase in the resisting forces. Thus, the current equilibrium is maintained but under increased tension.
- Reducing resisting forces is preferable because it allows movement in the desired direction without increasing tension.
- Group norms are an important force in resisting and shaping organisational change.
Process
A force-field analysis usually involves the development of a diagram. The driving forces and resisting forces are identified and then indicated pictorially with lines of differing strengths indicating the relative importance of each aspect. An example is given below for the introduction of student access to their records in a hypothetical college.
