Lewin's Force Field Analysis

Lewin's Force Field Analysis
To understand the concept of a force field analysis let's start with a simple science experiment.
You'll need to sit down for this one. What’s keeping you in the chair?
Well, there are two answers really. One is gravity which is pushing you down into the chair. A
driving force, if you like.
The other is the chair itself, which provides an opposing force, resisting gravity, and stopping
you falling to the ground.
So it would seem that while you are sitting in your chair you're in an equilibrium of sorts.
Two forces keep you there. Gravity pushes down, keeping you in the chair, and the chair resists
this, stopping you from falling to the ground.
Two equal forces, a driving force and a resisting or restraining force, working to keep the
equilibrium or status quo.
Agreed? Okay, now let's play. Let's say we want to move away from this equilibrium and get you
to fall to the floor. What could we do?
Well, on the one hand we could increase the amount of gravity (our driving force). The chair will
give way eventually and you will fall.
On the other hand, we could leave gravity alone and decide to weaken the chair (our restraining
force). The chair will give way, and there you are on the floor again!
We can achieve our intended result by increasing the driving force, or by reducing the resisting
force.
FOR CHANGE AGAINST
CHANGE
Customers demand new Increased cost, Firing of

products, faster production redundant staff
time
Upgrade
factory
machiner
y
Using the Force Field Analysis

Lewin's force field analysis is used to distinguish which factors within a situation or organisation
drive a person towards or away from a desired state, and which oppose the driving forces.
These can be analysed in order to inform decisions that will make change more acceptable.
'Forces' are more than attitudes to change. Kurt Lewin was aware that there is a lot of emotion
underlying people's attitude to change.
To understand what makes people resist or accept change we need to understand the values and
experiences of that person or group.
Developing self-awareness and emotional intelligence can help to understand these forces that
work within us and others. It’s the behaviour of others that will alert you to the presence of
driving and restraining forces at work.
Advantages of using Lewin’s Force Field Analysis
Force field analysis is a powerful tool in change management due to several key advantages it
offers:
1. Comprehensive assessment of change drivers: By identifying both the driving and
restraining forces, force field analysis provides a holistic view of the factors influencing a
proposed change. This allows for a more thorough and balanced evaluation.
2. Targeted change strategies: Once the forces are mapped out, organizations can develop
targeted strategies to strengthen the driving forces and weaken the restraining forces. This
focused approach increases the chances of successful change implementation.
3. Adaptability across contexts: Force field analysis can be applied to a wide range of
change initiatives, from organizational restructuring to process improvements to new
product launches. Its versatility makes it a valuable tool in diverse business settings.
4. Simplicity and ease of use: Compared to more complex change management
frameworks, force field analysis is relatively straightforward to understand and apply.
This accessibility makes it a practical choice for teams looking to quickly assess and
address change dynamics.
Disadvantages and Limitations of Lewin’s Force Field Analysis

While force field analysis offers many benefits, it also has some limitations that should be
considered:
1. Subjectivity in force identification and scoring: Identifying and weighing the driving
and restraining forces can be subjective, leading to potential biases and inconsistencies.
Ensuring objectivity is crucial for accurate analysis.
2. Oversimplification of complex change dynamics: By focusing on a limited set of
forces, force field analysis may overlook the nuances and interdependencies of the
changing environment. Real-world change is often more multifaceted.
3. Static nature of the analysis: Lewin’s Force field analysis provides a snapshot in time,
but change factors can evolve rapidly. The analysis must be regularly revisited and
updated to maintain relevance.
4. Potential resistance to change: The act of conducting a force field analysis may, in some
cases, highlight the significant restraining forces, which could inadvertently discourage
stakeholders and hinder change momentum.

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Lewin's Force Field Analysis

Customers demand new Increased cost, Firing of

Using the Force Field Analysis

Disadvantages and Limitations of Lewin’s Force Field Analysis

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