U4 4D Force Field Analysis

Question 1

key principles of force field analysis

Answer 1

• weighting
• ranking
• implementing a response
• evaluating the response

Question 2

define force field analysis

Answer 2

• a theoretical model positing that businesses usually exist in state of equilibrium
• where some forces acting on business will drive change, while others restrain change
• for change to happen, driving forces must be strengthened
• or the restraining forces weakened so driving forces overpower restraining forces and new equilibrium is established

Question 3

define driving forces

Answer 3

factors affecting business environment
- that promote and support business change

Question 4

define restraining forces

Answer 4

• factors that resist business change or actively try to prevent it

Question 5

example of force field analysis

Answer 5

• build an overseas manufacturing plant to increase sales and profits by 25%

driving force
- respond to competitors
- shareholder expectations
- ceo desire to build status

restraining force
- employee fear
- lack of finance
- legislation
- resistance from managers

Question 6

First principle FFA WEIGHTING

Answer 6

• weighting is the process of giving each force a score
• according to degree of influence it has on plan

on the past example
shareholder expectation driving force 10/10

employee fear restraining force 10/10

Question 7

Second principle FFA RANKING

Answer 7

• ranking involves using scores given in weighting process
• to order each force from most to least influential
• in terms of impact on proposed change
• at this stage
• scores are tallied to determine total scores for driving / restraining forces
• if change is implemented successfully
• score for driving change should be higher than score for restraining change

Question 8

Third principle FFA IMPLEMENTING A RESPONSE

Answer 8

• after force field analysis business can then decide whether or not to move forward with implementing change
• based on if forces against change outweigh forces for it
• business can also consider strategies to strengthen driving forces / weaken restraining forces
• so successful change can occur

Question 9

Fourth principle EVALUATING THE RESPONSE

Answer 9

• business must consider whether goal objective has been achieved
• if not what can now be done to further strengthen driving forces, and/or weaken restraining forces