A Force Field Analysis is a decision-making technique that can be used to analyze the pros and cons of any decision. It looks at the forces that are either driving or blocking movement toward a goal.

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Force Field Analysis
How Force Field Analysis Enhances Decision-Making And Team Engagement

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Definition
A basic decision-making technique that is used to analyze the forces
behind any decision.
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Better decisions are normally
made by weighing up the
helping and hindering forces
then deciding whether to go for
or against the decision.

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Definition
Force Field Analysis 3
Decision makers can
make more intelligent
business decisions in
a team-oriented
manner

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Applications
Force field analysis is widely used in the fields of . . .
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Project and
process
management
Change
management and
organizational
transformation
Social and
cultural
sciences

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Benefits
Allows to better understand the benefits, costs and risks related to the decision,
making it useful to explain the reasons behind making this or that decision.
Force Field Analysis 5

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Uses
Can be used by change agents and leaders at any level to analyze the pros
and cons of any organizational decision.
Force Field Analysis 6

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Uses
Can be used when decision making is difficult or challenging, and you need
a quick tool to make a go no-go decision.
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Uses
An example in which this technique can be used is deciding whether to
install a new machinery in a production line or not.
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Other Examples
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Deciding whether to
employ an in-house
team or use
outsourced
professionals.
Deciding whether to
move ahead with a
change proposal or
not.
Deciding whether to
expand the business
or keep it stable and
profitable.
Deciding whether to
develop your own
system inhouse or
start using a
commercial solution.

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Forces
Force field analysis looks at the forces that are either driving or blocking
movement toward making a decision or change.
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It’s important to
identify as many
factors as possible
to make the best
decision
Force
for
Force
for
Force
for
Force
against
Force
against
Force
against

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Force Field Diagram
It is often represented in the form of a diagram to make the exercise more
visually engaging.
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Forces
for
Forces
against
Proposed Decision
Forces
against
Forces for
Proposed
Decision

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Force Field Diagram
You simply need to list all possible helping forces left to the line, list all
possible hindering forces right to the line, assign scores according to the
degree of influence each force has, then find out which side wins.
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Forces
for
Forces
against
Proposed Decision
Each force or argument is normally
represented by an arrow

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Force Field Diagram
Note that the length or thickness of each arrow can indicate the weight of
the force.
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Forces
for
Forces
against
Proposed Decision

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Constructing a Force Field Diagram
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Gather the team and involve experts where appropriate
• Describe the decision that needs to be made.

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Constructing a Force Field Diagram
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Write the decision in a box at the top middle of a flipchart paper or whiteboard
• Draw a line from the box down the middle of the paper.
DECISION

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Constructing a Force Field Diagram
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List all possible helping forces left to the line & list all possible hindering forces right to the line
• Each argument or force could be shown in an arrow.
DECISION

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Constructing a Force Field Diagram
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Allocate a numerical score to each force indicating its significance
DECISION
5
1
3
2
2
4
• E.g., from 1 to 5.

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Constructing a Force Field Diagram
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Add up the scores of both lists to find out which force wins
• Actions should be taken where forces are greater.
DECISION
5
1
3
2
2
4
8
9

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Questions to Help Identify the Forces Involved
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What are the costs and
benefits?
What is the best and worst
thing that could happen?
How easy or difficult will it be
to implement?
How long it will take?
What would happen if the
decision was not made?
What must we do to make it
work?

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Example – Implementing a Content Management System
Whether to implement a content management system in a company or not.
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Helps in implementing change
4
Makes it easy to share documents
3
Supports process automation
3
A cloud solution is available
2
Implementing a Content Management
System
Likely to face huge resistance
3
The cost is high
4
Difficult to measure the benefits
2
Lack of technical expertise
2
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Example – Employing an Internal Over an External Consultant
Whether to employ an internal or an external consultants.
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Familiarity with the organization
5
Protecting privacy
3
Potential senior managers
1
The cost is significantly less
5
Employing Internal Consultants Over
External Ones
Not exposed to best practices
3
Difficult to recruit candidates
3
Likely to face size reductions
1
Difficult to accurately measure
the true costs and benefits
1
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