---
url: https://www.adoptionlab.ai/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap/explore/force-field-analysis/
title: "Map what helps and what hinders | Explore | AdoptionLab.AI"
description: "Explore, phase 1 of the 5E Model for human-centered AI adoption. A force field analysis shows what to remove, not just what to push."
generated: 2026-10-22T16:29:41.188Z
---[AI Adoption Roadmap](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap) / [1. Explore](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap#explore)
Phase 1: Explore
# Map what helps and what hinders
A force field analysis shows what to remove, not just what to push.
List the forces driving adoption, like funding pressure or curious staff, and the forces holding it back, like fear, unclear rules, or messy data. Weakening the two or three strongest restraints is usually cheaper than pushing harder.
Run it once with leaders and once with staff, then compare. The differences show what leadership can't see from where it sits.
[← Engage the middle layer](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap/explore/engage-the-middle-layer) [Lead with invitation, not obligation →](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap/explore/lead-with-invitation)
More in Explore
- [Be the sense-maker](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap/explore/be-the-sense-maker)
- [Make a pledge you can keep](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap/explore/make-a-pledge)
- [Run a baseline assessment](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap/explore/run-a-baseline)
- [Offer amnesty for hidden use](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap/explore/offer-amnesty)
- [Write a two-part AI policy](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap/explore/write-a-two-part-policy)
- [Sort your data with a stoplight](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap/explore/data-stoplight)
- [Engage the middle layer](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap/explore/engage-the-middle-layer)
- [Map what helps and what hinders](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap/explore/force-field-analysis)
- [Lead with invitation, not obligation](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap/explore/lead-with-invitation)
- [Give everyone basic training](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap/explore/basic-training)
[See all five phases →](/resources/ai-adoption-roadmap)
Go deeper in the booklet
A Leader's Roadmap to Human-Centered AI
The Explore chapter walks through this phase with a worked example, plus the field kit: survey, rubrics, and worksheets.
[Get the booklet on Amazon →](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXGN86YZ)