We use force field analysis all the time in XPLANE consulting engagements.

What I like about force fields is that it can help you ensure that you are solving the right problem in the first place.

A force field analysis clearly places the objective (And nothing else) front and center. I like to ask these high-level questions:

“What forces work in favor of achieving this goal?”

“What forces work against it?”

I find that often the answers can be unexpected — for example, we can uncover industry-wide trends or internal cultural issues that previously had not surfaced — and force us to take a step back and re-think the problem.

I think the force field is a fantastic tool to use with a group, during the earliest stages of the problem-solving process.