5.1 Case Study: Force Field Analysis

Case Study:

Ahmed owns a garments factory, where he is facing inefficiencies in production. Accordingly, he wants to upgrade his factory with new manufacturing equipment. However, he is unsure if this is the right decision to make. As a result, he chose to apply Force Field Analysis to evaluate the situation.

First, he defined the situation and listed the problems he currently faces. He noted that he has an issue with efficiency in production and would like to make the process smoother. Then, he defined his change objective, which is to increase the production capacity. After that, he used the template and listed the driving and restraining forces acting on his decision to purchase the equipment. 

Ahmed then analyzed his results and found that the analysis might recommend a number of alterations to the original design. For example:

• He can train his employees to be less afraid of technology. This added to the cost. However, it reduced the staff fear from new technology.
• He needs to demonstrate to his employees the importance of change in order for his company to survive. This new force backs up the adjustment.
• He should demonstrate to employees how new machines will provide variety and interest to their occupations. This will contribute to the change.
• He can raise the wages based on new productivity. This will raise the salaries. However, it will compensate for losing the overtime.
• He must Install some different devices with pollution-removing filters. This will help reduce the "Impact on the environment" as a barrier to change.

These changes would swing the balance from 11:10 (against the plan) to 13:8 in favor of Ahmed's plan.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Tool:

One of the main advantages of Force Field Analysis is that it provides you with a visual summary of all the forces that impact your decision to make a change in your company. It also allows you to examine these forces in a qualitative manner. However, Force Field Analysis requires the involvement of the full team to get accurate information which may cause conflict due to the different opinions and the involvement of too many people in the decision-making process. 

Relevant Visual: