[change #2] Navigating Change
A Journey from Force Field Analysis to Route Analysis
TLDR;
Tom and Sophie, change management consultants, share their experience in guiding organizations through significant transformations. They emphasize the importance of understanding the current state, defining the desired outcome, and creating a clear roadmap to bridge the gap.
Their extensive toolkit covers gap analysis, a tool developed by Kurt Lewin, to help organizations navigate change effectively. The process involves identifying the current state, defining the desired outcome, and creating a roadmap. Their Behaviroal Design and improvement coaching approach ensures everyone is working towards the same goal and makes focused progress measurable and achievable. That is exactly what Dora is looking for.
Force-field analysis is a tool used to understand the forces that influence change. It gives you a comprehensive, and yet accessible visual picture of the forces affecting any change. This has particular significance for both individuals, and groups.
This involves creating a table with two columns: one for promoting forces (those that support change) and one for resisting forces (those that hinder change). Each force is ranked on a scale of one to five based on its strength. This visual representation helps individuals and groups identify and discuss the key forces affecting change.
The initial value of force-field analysis lies in its ability to create a comprehensive yet accessible visual picture of the forces at play. A field of forces that are interdependent, systemic, dynamic, and shifting. Secondly, remember Sir. Isaac, third law of physics, that every action there's an equal and opposite reaction. That applies in change too. When you push in a force field, you get push back, sometimes an equal and opposite reaction.
What the force-field analysis suggests is any attempt to influence change has to work with a balance of forces within the field, rather than steamroll over all opposition and remember, people don't resist change, they resist being changed.However, a more insightful analysis requires a deeper understanding of the nature and interconnections of these forces. It is crucial to recognize that forces are interconnected, systemic, dynamic, and shifting, and that every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
Additionally, force-field analysis considers the iceberg metaphor of change, where the forces above the waterline represent the formal and rational aspects of change, while those below the waterline represent the informal and non-rational factors. Recognizing these hidden forces is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the change landscape.
the iceberg metaphor of change, the forces above the waterline, other formal, overt rational tip. This commonly refer to organizational structures and systems set in the context of changes in markets, or government legislation. The forces below the water line are the informal, overt, and non-rational ones. These are the easily identified, yet not so easily talked about an area of organizational culture and politics. They capture the forces of emotion, and feeling, the diversity of perspectives, and patterns of power and influence. The analysis of the force
field needs to be open, and mindful, balanced, and constructive.
By using force-field analysis, organizations can ensure a more balanced and mindful approach to change, leading to more effective and sustainable outcomes.
Route analysis
How do you navigate the change challenges?