Lewin's Force Field Analysis

• The force field consists of two opposing forces - one set of forces, the driving forces, are working for change, and the other set, restraining forces, are working against change
• Change occurs when the driving forces are stronger than the restraining forces
• Forces for change -> Current state <- Forces resisting change
• Forces for change include

  • need to keep up with competition
  • increasing number of customer complaints
  • new owners wanting higher returns
  • poor financial performance
• Forces resisting change include

  • lack of finance for investment
  • reluctance on behalf of existing staff
  • resistance from certain stakeholder groups
  • lack of skills and training
• Problems with Lewin's force field analysis

  • just identifies the problem doesn't suggest how to fix them
• For change to actually occur

  • the drivers for change may get stronger
  • for example, if the business falls even further behind its rivals
• The forces for resisting change may be reduced

  • for example, employees may begin to see the need to change more clearly and, therefore be more open to the idea or the financial position of the business might improve providing the money needed to invest in changing its approach