Force Field Analysis: Figure

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Force field analysis is usually presented in a figure although there are many ways to draw a figure. This figure below is one of the representations of force field analysis. Pay attention to that the organization is currently at ‘a’ and wants to move to the situation of ‘b.’ Several forces operating within the organization or outside the environment may make movement towards ‘b’ desirable or undesirable.



Forces for Change VS. Forces against Change
Think about the example of Harry Potter and say we are expecting that Harry defeated Voldemort. Then probably a stronger power, a fatal magic, and support from his families are the needed effects that can help achieve this expectation. If these factors happened, they could be viewed as driving forces that support and lead Harry to his goal. On the other hand, Voldemort’s power is viewed as restraining forces that resist or decrease Harry’s power.

The same concept can be applied to any force field analysis figure, and both driving and restraining forces are represented by arrows with opposite directions. The strength of each force is represented by the length of its representative arrow. As a result, in the organization development, the forces favoring the proposed change or keeping it going are called driving forces, and the forces resisting change or keeping the status quo are called restraining forces.

According to Lewin’s point, organizations are systems in which the current situation is not static but dynamic with forces working in opposite directions. There are always both driving forces that push for change and restraining forces that act against change in any situation.

Let’s review a case study for practice and see how force field analysis is applied in this bicycle manufacturer - A case study for practicing FFA

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