What is Force Field Analysis?
Force Field Analysis maps forces that support a proposed change against forces that resist it. The method helps identify practical levers for making a change easier or addressing barriers before rollout.
When to use it
Use it when deciding whether to proceed with a change and you need to compare the forces for and against it.
How the methodology works
Map out driving forces (supporting change) and restraining forces (resisting change) to understand the dynamics affecting your decision.
- State the change and the decision point clearly, including what would count as progress.
- List drivers and restraints that affect the change, then rate their relative strength using the same scale.
- Choose actions that strengthen a driver or reduce a restraint, and reassess the balance after those actions.
Example: Moving a team from spreadsheets to a shared CRM
Illustrative situation: Fewer duplicate updates could support the change. Training time, data migration, and concern about extra administration could make it harder.
How to apply it: A limited pilot with a named data owner can test whether the workflow reduces duplication and reveal which training or migration issues need attention before a wider rollout.
Example limits: This scenario is illustrative, not evidence about a real business. Use evidence relevant to your decision for your own facts, ratings, probabilities, or financial estimates.
How to read the result
Strengthen drivers, reduce or address restraining forces, and monitor how the balance changes over time.
Questions about Force Field Analysis
Does the stronger side automatically determine the decision?
No. Ratings structure discussion, but they are estimates rather than measurements of an objective force. Check the evidence and the actions available to change the balance.
Are resisting forces just objections to overcome?
Not always. A restraint may point to a real cost, safety concern, or unmet need. Understanding it can lead to a better design or a decision not to proceed.
Next step
Describe the change in one sentence, then list the forces that help or hinder it before choosing actions.
Need a printable resource or a step-by-step method? Business planning tools. Place change analysis in a broader sequence of planning questions.