Force field analysis

Purpose

Developed by Kurt Lewin, this is a method for identifying how to get to the place that you want to be.

Resources

This will take approximately 40 “60 minutes. You will need coloured pens and paper.

Notes to the coach

In coaching, force field analysis can be used to identify how the coachee will achieve the desired end position. Once the coachee has identified the change that needs to take place, he or she can use this technique to detail those factors that will support the change and those that will prevent or hinder it from taking place. This process will feed into the action plan, in terms of helping the coachee identify the specific things that he or she needs to ensure happen.

Instructions

Explain to the coachee that force field analysis assumes that we are in a state of equilibrium, held in place by forces that are pushing in the opposing directions of for and against. When we want to make a change, we can map the opposing forces, review their various strengths and then decide which forces can be manipulated in order to make the change successful.

To create a force field analysis, ask the coachee to draw a line across the paper and to draw a different coloured arrow for each force pointing at the line. All the forces for change should be placed beneath the line, pointing upwards, as the direction of change is towards the top of the page. All the items that are against the change are placed above the line, pointing down. The length of the arrow will represent the relative strength of the force.

Example

In order to make the change happen, the coachee will need to decide which forces he or she can alter and in what way. There are several options available to them:

• To increase the forces for the change “ ie, make the arrows longer by increasing their strength.

• To decrease the forces against the change “ ie, reduce their strength and diagrammatically reduce their length.

• Introduce new forces for the change, so that the line is pushed upwards in the direction of change.

• Take away the forces against the change, which means that the forces for it will take on increased power and push upwards.