Toolkit Exercise 6.4

Understanding the Forces for and Against Change: The Force Field Analysis

Consider an organizational change situation Aviation Maintenance United States Marines. Use the following questions to guide you through the process of drawing a force field analysis.

1. What are the forces for change? Include external forces as well as a consideration of key individuals or groups. How strong and committed are these forces? (Who will let it happen; who will help it happen; who will make it happen?

2. How could these forces be augmented or increased? What forces could be added to those that exist?

3. What are the forces that oppose change? Include structural forces such as reward systems or formal processes in the organization. Consider as well the effect of informal processes and groups or the culture of the organization.

4. How could these forces be weakened or removed? What things might create major resentment in these forces?

5. Can you identify any points of leverage that you could employ to advance the change? For example, deploying key well-respected individuals who support the change or providing low-cost guarantees related to serious concerns.