Force Field Analysis (DP IB Business Management)
Revision Note
Written by: Lisa Eades
Reviewed by: Steve Vorster
Force Field Analysis
Force field analysis involves managers identifying the driving and restraining forces that surround a strategic change decision
Once identified these forces can be analysed to determine whether a decision should go ahead
Driving forces
Driving forces are factors that could justify that strategic change is needed
Internal driving forces may include:
Outdated machinery or product lines
Declining team morale
The need to increase profitability
External driving forces may include:
A volatile market
Disruptive technologies e.g. AI
Changing demographic trends
Restraining forces
Retraining forces are factors that could prevent or limit change
Internal restraining forces may include:
Fear of the unknown
The existing organisational structure
"That's not how things are done here" attitudes
External restraining forces may include:
Existing commitments to partner organisations
Government legislation
Obligations towards customers
Weighting the forces
Driving forces and restraining forces are weighted from 1 to 5 in terms of their relative importance
A value of 5 is most important and 1 least important
Diagram: force field analysis
Force field analysis for the field above
Four driving forces justify a decision for change
Their weightings are 5, 4, 3 and 2
The total value of these driving forces is 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 = 14
Four restraining forces prevent or limit change
Their weightings are 4, 3, 2 and 1
The total value of these restraining forces is 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 10
The relative weight of driving forces is greater than the relative weight of restraining forces
There is a good chance that this decision would be successful
To maximise the chance of success driving forces could be further strengthened or restraining forces weakened/eliminated
Worked Example
After several years of poor financial performance the owners of Lujosa Ltd are considering the relocation of their factory from Spain to Indonesia.
Department managers have provided feedback on the idea. They have identified the following driving and restraining forces.
Force | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
Driving |
| 5 |
| 3 | |
| 1 | |
Restraining |
| 4 |
| 2 | |
| 4 |
(a) Use force field analysis to determine whether Lujosa's owners should go ahead with the decision [4]
Step 1: Construct the force field analysis
[1]
Step 2: Calculate the relative weight of driving forces
5 + 3 + 1 = 9
[1]
Step 3: Calculate the relative weight of restraining forces
4 + 2 + 4 = 10
[1]
Step 4: Compare the relative weights of driving and restraining forces
The relative weight of restraining forces (10) is greater than the relative weight of driving forces (9)
There is little chance that this decision would be successful and should be abandoned
[1]
(b) Identify two actions Lujosa's owners could take to allow the move to Indonesia to go ahead [2]
Relevant actions include
Outsource production during the relocation process
Research ways to reduce costs of building and fitting of the new factory
Consult and engage with workers to reduce fears of redundancy
[2]
Evaluating Force Field Analysis
Force field analysis is a valuable technique for assessing the factors influencing a situation
However it has limitations, particularly in situations where precision is required
It is most effective when used alongside other decision-making tools to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the situation
Force field analysis has a range of strengths and weaknesses
Evaluating Force Field Analysis
Strengths | Weaknesses |
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