Last Updated on 11 September 2023
There are forces both for a change and against it; force field analysis helps makes this clear, so that they can be better understood and barriers can be removed. This can be applied both to a specific project, and for implementing Six Sigma across an organization.
If you add a scale to the diagram, you can more easily see the perceived strengths of the different forces. Some (e.g. cost of a project) will come from calculations, but a lot will be from perceptions, so whilst you should be able to back up the scores with reasoning, remember that most of them will be estimates.
How to perform force field analysis
- Define the situation: Describe the current situation, and where you’re trying to get to
- Force analysis: Identify forces in favor of the change, and forces against it
- Current situation line: Draw a chart with a line down the middle which is the ‘current situation’
- Forces in favor: Draw arrows on the left showing forces pushing the current situation forwards. The size of the arrow is the strength of the force
- Forces against: Draw arrows on the right showing forces holding the current situation back from advancing
- Action plan: Produce an action plan on how to remove the barriers to progress, prioritizing the largest barriers first
Example
Force field analysis for a project that will add some automated elements to a process.
From this diagram you can create an action plan:
- Retrain the staff so that they become used to the new method
- Explain to staff that the new procedure efficiencies will lead to the department achieving more not having resources taken away
- Explain to staff how the benefits make learning the new method worth it, reducing fear of change
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