Senior Business

FORCE FIELD ANALYSIS

This is about staying on track.

Force Field Analysis is a decision-making tool that examines the driving (positive) and restraining (negative) forces impacting on a specific project or decision.

Why bother?
It helps businesses strategise, strengthen positive influences, mitigate negatives, and improve chances of achieving outcomes.

This is NOT about deciding whether to proceed or not. Even if the score on the restraining side is double the driving side, the action plan is about how to move the project forward.

 Step 1:  Describe a clear plan or proposal for change

Step 2:   Analyse the driving forces for change

Step 3:  Analyse the restraining forces

Step 4:   Evaluate forces by assigning scores (1-5)

Step 5:   Create an action plan

Driving forces are factors that support or promote change.

Examples:

  • Market demand: Increase in customer demand for a new product or service.
  • Technological advancements: Innovations that enable improved processes.
  • Competitive pressure: Rivals adopting new strategies or entering the market.
  • Cost savings: Opportunities to reduce expenses and increase profitability.
  • Employee motivation: A workforce eager to adopt new skills or embrace change.
  • Organisational culture: A culture that encourages innovation and adaptability.
  • Government regulations: New laws or incentives that promote specific changes.

Restraining forces are factors that hinder or resist change.

Examples:

  • Limited resources: Insufficient budget, time, or personnel to implement change.
  • Employee resistance: Lack of skills or attachment to existing processes.
  • Organisational culture: Rigid culture resistant to new ideas or adaptability.
  • Market uncertainty: Unpredictability causes hesitation.
  • Technological barriers: Outdated technology prevents innovation.
  • Competing priorities: Multiple projects competing for resources and attention.
  • Regulatory constraints: Legal restrictions limiting change options.