Steps in a Force Field
Analysis
(Source: Craig, P. (1978). Hip Pocket Guide to Planning and
Evaluation. Austin, Texas: Learning Concepts)
- Identify A Goal for Implementation
- Example: Develop a positive academic culture in the
residence halls
- Brainstorm driving and restraining forces that will
facilitate or inhibit the successful completion of the goal
- Start with the driving forces
- List all of the driving forces that will aid in the
success of meeting the goal (motivation of students to
do well academically, based on Freshman Profile results)
- Give each driving force a numerical weight from 1
(low) to 10 (high) (motivation to do well = 7 for
incoming students)
- Add up the total for the weights of the driving
forces
- Move next to the restraining forces that would inhibit
success of the goal
- List all of the restraining forces that will inhibit
the successful completion of the goal (interest in
partying on a regular basis = 4 for incoming students)
- Give each restraining force a numerical weight from
1 (low) to 10 (high)
- Add up the total for the weights of the restraining
forces
- Compare the totals for the two forces
- Does one side outweigh the other side or are the two
forces about equal? (7 vs. 4)
- If the restraining forces outweigh the driving
forces, what needs to be done to reduce the impact of
the restraining forces and increase the impact of the
driving forces?
- Action Planning
- Identify the top five driving factors and the top
five restraining factors based on their weights
- Start with the strongest driving factor and
brainstorm programs, activities, and/or services to
strengthen this driving force (ARC program, Study
Buddies, etc)
- Continue to do the same with the other driving
forces
- Next, move to the restraining forces and brainstorm
programs, activities, services, and/or intervention
strategies to reduce the impact of the restraining
forces
- Decide to Develop, Continue, or Eliminate Programs,
Activities, Services, and/or Interventions to Increase the
Driving Forces and Decrease the Restraining Forces Related
to the Goal’s Attainment
- Develop a list of
activities/programs/services/interventions to implement
through action planning
- Develop a list of needed financial resources and
people to carry out the programs
- Identify who will lead the effort
- Develop criteria for the successful completion of
the program
- Develop a time frame for implementation
- Implement the program to carry out the goal
- Assessment and Evaluation
- Assess and evaluate the program
- Use a model like the Context, Input, Process, and
Product Model (refer to “Using the Context, Input,
Process, and Product (CIPP) Model of Daniel
Stufflebeam”)
