Force field analysis is a decision making tool developed by Kurt Lewin to help identify goals and the driving and restraining forces that affect achieving those goals. It involves (1) identifying a specific, measurable goal; (2) assessing the current status; (3) listing driving forces like resources that support achieving the goal; and (4) listing restraining forces like challenges that must be overcome. The technique aims to reduce or eliminate restraining forces so the driving forces can help reach the goal. An example analyzes spiritual and character goals, and identifies ways to overcome pride, envy, and other restraining forces through love, forgiveness and realizing salvation through Christ.

1. Force Field Analysis
Presented By
Jon Martindale
Tool developed by Kurt Lewin, a German
social psychologist born I 1890. Used in
Management Training classes and Goal
and Objectives Training sessions.

2. What is Force Field
Analysis?
• It is a great decision making
tool
- Used for personal planning
- Used for work projects
- Used for setting priorities
• Helps you to determine
- Your challenges
(Restraining Forces)
- Your strengths/assets
(Driving Forces)

3. What is Force Field
Analysis?
Goal
⇓⇓ Restraining Forces ⇓⇓
__________________________
Status Quo
_________________________
⇑⇑ Driving Forces ⇑⇑

4. How Do You Use It?
First you must identify your Goal.
It needs to be a very SMART
Goal
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Timely

5. How Do You Use It?
Second you must identify where
you are.
This is the Status Quo area
and is in relation to the Goal.

6. How Do You Use It?
Third you must identify your
Driving Forces.
What resources (time, finance,
personnel, and etc.) do you
have to achieve your Goal.

7. How Do You Use It?
Fourth you must identify your
Restraining Forces.
What challenges (time, finance,
personnel, and etc.) do you
need to overcome to achieve
your Goal.

8. How Do You Use It?
Fifth Step based on your
resources and challenges is
your Goal worth pursing?
If no, then either modify your
Goal and repeat the steps or if
yes,
Then take each Restraining
Force and develop a sub-Goal
using this same technique to
eliminate or reduce the
Restraining Force

9. Why is elimination of
Restraining Forces so
Important?
Until they are eliminated,
reduced or restrained you can
not truly achieve your Goal.

10. Example
Goal
⇓⇓ Restraining Forces ⇓⇓
__________________________
________
Status Quo
_________________________
________
⇑⇑ Driving Forces ⇑⇑

11. Example
Goal
(Step 1)
(Where I want to be on
Judgment Day)
“Be ye therefore Perfect, even as
your Father which is in heaven is
perfect”
Matthew 5:48

12. Example
Status Quo
(Step 2 )
(Where I am Today)
“Standing in the Need of Prayer”

13. Example
Driving Forces
(Step 3 )
Knowing of God’s love for me
Jesus died for the sins of all mankind
Christ arose to overcome death and show the way
My Redeemer lives GRACE
(God’s Redemption At Christ Expense)
Sermon on Mount for Guide (Matthew chapter 5-7)
God’s Laws – 10 Commandments (Exodus 20)
Teachings of Christ Jesus
Demonstrations of Christ Jesus
Bible characters to study and learn from their
experiences
Old Testament – study as an Owners Manual
New Testament – study as a Repair Manual
What God creates is good and perfect
With God all things are possible

14. Example
Driving Forces
(Step 3 )
Christ at Calvary created an
At-One-Ment with God for me
and then sent the Holy Spirit
to dwell within me so I could
abide in Him (Jesus the Christ).

15. Example
Restraining Forces
(Step 4 )
Pride, Envy, Lust, Hate, Jealousy,
Gluttony, Stealing (ideas, etc.),
Killing (ideas, etc.), Adultery,
Self-righteousness, Arrogance,
Following false gods (it’s the
economy-stupid), Burden of
debt, Non-forgiving of self,
Non-forgiving of others,
Selfishness.

16. Example
Is Goal Worth Pursuing
(Step 5 )
Yes, then you need to eliminate the
following Restraining Forces - Pride,
Envy, Lust, Hate, Jealousy,
Gluttony, Stealing (ideas, etc.),
Killing (ideas, etc.), Adultery, Self-
righteousness, Arrogance,
Following false gods (it’s the
economy-stupid), Burden of debt,
Non-forgiving of self, Non-forgiving
of others, Selfishness.

17. How Can I Eliminate the
Restraining Forces in the
Example?
• Love God with all my mind,
heart and soul and love my
neighbor as myself.
• Realize Christ Jesus paid debt
he did not owe to buy a
ransom I could never pay.
• The Goal is worth pursuing. I
do not know the time now but
will have eternity to figure it
out.