HKSM

A structured method to identify and weigh the factors that push a change forward versus those that resist it, helping teams judge feasibility and plan actions to boost drivers and reduce barriers.

Key Points

• Maps driving forces (supporting change) and restraining forces (opposing change) around a proposed change.
• Often visualized with a diagram and relative strengths to compare influence on both sides.
• Results in targeted actions: strengthen drivers, weaken or remove barriers, or both.
• Useful in change management, stakeholder engagement, risk response planning, and agile retrospectives.

Example

A team considering automated deployment holds a workshop. Drivers include faster releases and competitive pressure; restrainers include compliance concerns, limited testing capacity, and stakeholder resistance. The team rates each factor's strength, then plans mitigations (e.g., add compliance checks to the pipeline, expand test automation) to tip the balance toward adoption.

PMP Example Question

A project manager lists and rates factors that support moving to continuous delivery (e.g., market demand) and those that hinder it (e.g., regulatory risk), then defines actions to increase support and reduce opposition. Which tool are they using?

1. Stakeholder analysis
2. Force Field Analysis
3. SWOT analysis
4. Cause-and-effect diagram

Correct Answer: B — Force Field Analysis

Explanation: Force Field Analysis evaluates driving and restraining forces for change and guides actions to strengthen drivers or reduce barriers.