Force Field Analysis: A Simple Yet Powerful Decision-Making Tool
We all face difficult decisions in life. Choosing between two job offers. Deciding whether to move to a new city. Picking out a new car. These types of complex choices can leave us feeling stressed and paralyzed, unable to determine the best path forward.
That’s why having a structured approach to assess the pros and cons of a decision can be so helpful. Force field analysis is one such versatile framework that can help guide you toward the right decision by mapping out the driving and restraining forces.
Developed by psychologist Kurt Lewin in the 1940s, force field analysis allows you to break down the factors influencing any decision or situation. Understanding these forces for and against change can help identify where you need to focus your energy to overcome obstacles and tip the scales in your favor.
In this post, we’ll explore what force field analysis is, and its key benefits, and walk through steps on how to conduct one. We’ll also look at an example to see how it works in practice.
What Is Force Field Analysis?
Force field analysis is a decision-making technique that looks at the forces for and against a proposed change to help you determine which path to take.
It involves identifying the pros and cons of an issue and assessing whether the factors driving change outweigh the factors resisting it. The driving forces that are pushing for change are the pros, while the restraining forces that act as barriers against change are the cons.
This analysis leads to one of three outcomes:
- The driving forces outweigh the restraining forces, so the change should be implemented
- The restraining forces are stronger than the driving forces, so the change should be avoided
- The forces are relatively balanced, so more information is needed before deciding
Force field analysis is versatile – it can be applied to personal decisions like moving or changing jobs, or organizational decisions like implementing new software or processes.
It allows you to visually map out all the influencing factors and gain an objective overview of the forces at play. This helps evaluate whether a potential change or decision is worth pursuing given the current circumstances.
The Benefits of Force Field Analysis
There are several key advantages to using a force field analysis:
Provides a Balanced Perspective
The main benefit of this technique is that it pushes you to look at both the positives and negatives of a decision, not just focus on one side. Considering the driving and restraining forces gives a balanced perspective on all factors at play.
Visual Format
Creating a visual force field diagram makes it easy to see at a glance the relative strength of the different forces for and against. This can help overcome analysis paralysis. The visual also makes communicating the decision analysis easier.
Fosters Objectivity
By formally assessing the influencing forces, you’re less likely to make a decision based on emotions. Force field analysis encourages objectivity through an evidence-based approach.
Identifies Barriers Upfront
Understanding the potential obstacles and risks can help you proactively address them. Brainstorming solutions to overcome restraining forces is built into the analysis.
Applicable Across Situations
The simplicity of force field analysis means it can flexibly be used for both business settings and personal choices. Any complex decision can benefit from mapping out the pros and cons.
Facilitates Collaboration
Force field analysis can be completed individually or as a group, allowing multiple stakeholders to share their perspectives. This provides a collaborative approach to problem-solving.
How to Conduct a Force Field Analysis in 6 Steps
Here are six key steps to follow when carrying out a thorough force field analysis:
Step 1: Define the Proposed Change or Decision to Analyze
Start by clearly articulating the change, decision, or issue you want to make a choice on. This could be:
- Implementing new software
- Moving to a new city
- Taking a new job
- Launching a new product or feature
Any complex situation with multiple factors to weigh will benefit from structuring the analysis. Be specific in defining the scope of the decision.
Step 2: Identify the Driving Forces
Next, brainstorm all the factors, realities, trends, or influences that support making the change. These are the driving forces pushing you towards a “yes” decision.
For example, if analyzing a job change, driving forces could include:
- Higher salary
- Career progression opportunities
- More flexibility to work remotely
- Better work culture
- New challenges to learn from
Come up with as comprehensive a list as possible. Think broadly about all the upsides that would come from this change.
Step 3: Identify the Restraining Forces
Then, list out all the restraining forces acting as barriers or reasons not to make the change. These cons could include:
- High costs to change
- Loss of job security
- Hassle of relocation
- Leaving co-workers
- Potential culture clash
The restraining forces are the risks, disadvantages, and downsides that make you hesitant about change. Aim for an exhaustive list of opposing forces.
Step 4: Prioritize the Forces
With your full lists of driving and restraining forces mapped out, now prioritize which ones have the biggest influence or impact.
Rank them from high to low priority. This helps assess which forces are exerting the most pressure for and against.
You can also note which forces are short vs. long-term factors. Time horizon is an important context.
Step 5: Visualize the Analysis
Next, represent the analysis visually in a force field diagram. This allows you to see the relative strength of forces on each side.
To create the diagram:
- Draw a line down the middle of a page
- Note the proposed change at the top
- List driving forces on the left side pushing toward change
- List restraining forces on the right side hindering change
- Note the higher priority forces closer to the top
Here’s a simple example:
This visual representation makes it easy to communicate the analysis and simplify a complex decision.
Step 6: Assess Whether to Proceed With the Change
Finally, assess whether the driving forces outweigh the restraining forces overall based on your diagram. This will guide your decision on how to proceed.
If the driving forces are stronger, it signals the change is worth pursuing given the pros outweigh the cons. If the restraining forces dominate, it’s better to maintain the status quo.
Where the forces are roughly equal, more data is likely needed to pick a clear winner. You may also brainstorm ways to strengthen the driving forces or reduce the impact of restraints.
Re-assess the balance of forces as new information emerges over time. The decision may become clearer as uncertainties are addressed.
Force Field Analysis: Launching New Product Line
Jen is an entrepreneur debating whether to expand her clothing business by launching a new line of activewear. Here is a force field analysis to evaluate this potential change:
| Driving Forces | Restraining Forces |
|---|---|
| Growing demand for activewear (high priority) | Large initial investment needed for development (high priority) |
| Leverages existing supplier relationships | Significant marketing costs to promote new products |
| Opportunity to increase brand awareness | Potential for low sales and profit margins |
| Positive feedback from customer surveys | Lower demand due to a competitive market |
| Aligns with the company’s healthy lifestyle focus | Additional resources needed for manufacturing & logistics |
Key Takeaways
- The driving forces such as market demand and leveraging existing strengths make a compelling case to launch the new activewear line.
- However, Jen needs to plan for the high initial costs and resource requirements to develop and promote the new products.
- By highlighting the restraining forces upfront, she can proactively address risks like tight cash flow.
- Prioritizing the forces helps identify the largest barriers to overcome.
- Further market testing may help size the revenue potential and refine launch timelines. With preparation, the driving forces seem to make this change favorable.
Using a visual force field analysis table makes it easy to map out all factors influencing this major business decision. By understanding the pros and cons, Jen is better equipped to determine the best path forward.
Tips for Effective Force Field Analysis
Follow these tips when conducting a force field analysis to get the most value:
- Clearly define the scope and decision criteria upfront
- Involve key stakeholders early for wider inputs
- Set timeboxes for brainstorming driving and restraining forces
- Regularly revisit your analysis as new data emerges
- Weigh short-term vs. long-term factors appropriately
- Visualize the analysis for clearer insights
- Don’t avoid listing difficult restraining forces
- Track your key assumptions and validity over time
- Consider if any forces can be modified or reduced
- Use force field analysis for both business and personal decisions
Powerful Yet Simple Decision-Making
Force field analysis offers an intuitive yet structured approach to evaluating any complex decision. Visually mapping the forces for and against change leads to better-informed choices.
While simple in concept, consistently applying this technique prevents you from overlooking key factors and makes your assumptions explicit. Testing decisions from multiple angles leads to the strongest outcome.
So next time you’re stuck evaluating a major change or dilemma, try constructing a force field diagram. Looking at the full picture is the first step towards progress.
