Force Field Analysis

Origin. Kurt Lewin (1943).

Mechanism. Models the status quo as an equilibrium between driving and restraining forces. Lewin's finding is asymmetric and is the whole content of the method: increasing driving forces increases tension and provokes counter-pressure, while removing restraining forces moves the equilibrium without it.

Procedure. Define the desired state. List driving and restraining forces, weighted. Attack the restraining forces first. Only then consider adding drivers.

Applies to. Change management; adoption; any situation where pushing harder has produced more resistance.

Limitations. Force weights are invented, and the arithmetic they invite lends the invented numbers unearned authority.