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Professional Ethics
Introduction
The discipline of project management incorporates ethical aspects in fulfilling the desires of all stakeholders. The project leaders’ policies are well defined by their actions. According to Gido and Clements, incisive supervisors set good examples as role models through their ethical behavior as well as their personal interaction with the coworkers in the planning, implementation, and controlling processes (Gido and Clements, 2014). These leaders can reinforce the company’s values, expectations and build leadership, determination, and enthusiasm throughout the organization. this paper reviews professional ethics in project management.
Project management is a complex task that requires ethics to make judgments and interpretation of several aspects of the project. For instance, it is difficult to differentiate between intentional falsifications of estimates from indisputable mistakes or the intended inflation of project pay-offs from actual optimism. Moreover, it is problematic to determine if unfulfilled promises were purposeful deceptions or an effective response to the varying circumstances. Such cases call for the application of the Code of ethics to come up with effective solutions.
As a professional in project management, we are charged with the duty of promoting ethical practices at the workplace. The project managers should accept the responsibilities associated with their work activities. These managers are also responsible for making decisions about the activities of the project that may be linked to considerable ethical dimensions.
Professional Ethics
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The Project Management Institute (PMI) Code of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct outlines the ethical responsibilities for her members to uphold (Schwalbe, 2015). These code of ethics act as a guide in the course of project management and decision making especially when one is conversant with them, applies them regularly, and uses them appropriately. PMI members, as professionals in the project management field, pledge to support and abide by the following regulations;
- Sustain high standards of professional conduct and integrity,
- Admit responsibility of their own actions,
- Conduct their activities in an honest and fair manner,
- Continually find ways of enhancing their professional capabilities and
- Motivate their colleagues in the profession to behave in a manner that is ethical and professional.
Benefits of the PMI Code of Ethics in Project Management
Integrity
One of the most important responsibilities of all project management professionals is to make sure that they exercise integrity in the project management process, their personal conduct, and the product. This can be achieved effectively by abiding by the PMI Code of Ethics and the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) project management processes. Research by Schwalbe proved clearly that situations occur frequently in the course of monitoring projects whereby an individual’s integrity is usually challenged (Schwalbe, 2015).
In such circumstances, one is forced to make difficult decisions. Indeed, individuals with high moral standards, high personal ethics, and with appropriate training in ethics manage to make better decisions (Gido and Clements, 2014). Moreover, PMI members should report to the customers, stakeholders, or others any circumstances or actions that can be construed as a conflict of interest.
Relationship with Clients, Customers, and Employers
Ethics are essential in offering customers, employees and clients honest, fair, accurate, and complete information regarding the preparation of estimates on the costs, services, and the expected results. The ethics also demand that members should disclose fully and accurately any business related or professional conflicts or even probable conflicts of interest in an amicable manner.
This is one of the most significant issues which project management professionals aim t improving. Some institutions have a tendency of disclosing only good news and hide negatives of the business (Corey et al, 2014). This is unethical. However, when the codes of ethics are properly exercised, a culture is cultivated whereby the bearer of bad news is not punished.
Professional Ethics
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Confidentiality of Information
It is necessary for the confidentiality of privacy of the customers to be honored and maintained. Same treatment should be accorded on the clients’ identities, the assignments undertaken and any other information that may be acquired through the course of a professional relationship. However, there is an exception to this only when a customer grants permission. Ethics also emphasize that an organization should protect and respect other people’s intellectual property rights. The employees should also recognize and respect the intellectual, professional, and research contribution of their counterparts.
Ethics also encourage employees to acknowledge and differentiate between what is right and wrong. They strive consistently to serve as reference points for good conduct. In most business settings, being ethical translates to application of fairness and honest principles to the relationship between the customers and the coworkers. Ethical employees are committed to treat everyone in the workplace in the manner that they would also like to be treated.
Shapiro and Stefkovich reported that institutions that abide by the code of ethics and build more ethical corporate cultures are usually associated with benefits that flow as a result of building a reputation as an ethical organization (Shapiro and Stefkovich, 2016). Most employees have a preference of working for ethical organizations. The status of ethical business practices attracts job applicants that are better qualified and well motivated. It also promotes public relations and the moral standards of the workers.
Customers may let an organization take advantage of them once. However, they can realize that they were not treated in a fair manner just as they expected. For instance, they can be convinced to buy substandard goods or be overcharged. As a result, they cease being repeat customers of the organization. Corey et al enlightens that having a client base that is loyal is one of the most essential keys that promote long term success in business (Corey et al, 2014).
This is due to the fact that attending to a pre-existing customer does not entail marketing costs compared to getting a new customer. Therefore, an institution that maintains desirable ethical behavior succeeds in creating a more positive image in the market place. This attracts new clients. On the other hand, unethical behavior hinders the company’s opportunities to acquire new clients especially in this era of social networking whereby customers that are dissatisfied can easily spread information regarding the negative experiences they have been exposed to.
Professional Ethics
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Retain good employees
Competent and hardworking workers at all company levels expect to be rewarded and compensated appropriately for their determination (Shapiro and Stefkovich, 2016). They expect project managers to advance their careers within the company not on favoritism but on the basis of what they have delivered and achieved in the company. PMI requires that the management team should tell its workers the truth about what the company is doing, such as cases of reorganization and layoffs.
When companies adhere to PMI’s code of ethics, they become open and fair in their dealings and hence have a higher probability of maintaining the most competent workers. Workers stop being dedicated to their jobs the moment they find out that the company’s compensation methodology is not fair as they expect.
Positive Working Environment
Employees, from the moment they have their first job interview, are expected to behave in an ethical manner. They are required to be frank with their previous experience and capabilities. Employees who exercise ethical behavior are not considered to be individuals just out on themselves but team players who have the interest of the company at heart. Such individuals will not stop at anything until they make sure that the objectives of the project they are undertaking have been met.
To do this, they develop positive relationships with their coworkers. The project managers trust such workers with information deemed to be confidential and as a result they end up being given more autonomy. Contrary, workers that are unethical and are caught in the lies by the project managers cut short their chances of advancement within the company. In most cases, they end up being fired.
A severe case of poor ethics is theft by the employees. Normally, theft in some industries costs the business huge sums of money. Take the example of a baking company where employees steal cakes and other ingredients from the freezer and storage locker respectively.
Professional Ethics
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Decision making
The PMI codes of ethics are necessary because they promote establishment of a culture whereby decisions are made based on ethics. When supervisors are having turbulent times running their projects, a strong ethical culture serves as a guide in managing any prevailing conflicts by making the right moves. The ethics are also significant as they can enhance change to be introduced successfully which at times is a challenge.
Avoid legal Problems
Occasionally, the project management team may be tempted to cut comers in a bid to acquire profits. For instance, they can ignore the safety hazards of the workers, fail to comply with labor laws or environmental regulations, or use substandard materials in their project. These activities attract severe penalties once one has been caught such as sanctions by government agencies, legal fees, and fines.
As a result, the organization develops long-ranger damage to its reputation that ends up being even more costly than the charged fines and legal fees. It is for this reason that companies are encouraged to maintain the highest ethical standards possible and take their time and ensure that all members of the company are well trained about the expected conduct.
Asset Protection
Businesses that have a strong ethical culture manage to safeguard their assets. Employees who adhere to the ethics of the workplace are in a better position of respecting the assets of the project. Such workers will not be found making personal long distance calls using business lines and neither will they use the company’s vehicles to run their personal errands.
Company property can be respected accordingly when workers are treated with respect and dignity by their supervisors. This makes them feel proud to be taking part in any project assigned to them. Therefore, it is the duty of supervisors to ensure that their team members are working in an environment that is fostered with integrity and strong ethics. It discourages employees from misusing the company’s property and increases their pride.
Professional Ethics
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Conclusion
Organizations are experiencing losses of millions and billions of dollars of the taxpayers’ money from time to time due to unethical behavior. Therefore, it is the responsibility of project management professionals to rise and take responsibility not only to strengthen a working environment with high ethical standards but also to serve as role models by upholding high ethics in the company. They can achieve this by promoting awareness of the significance of ethics in the institution in general.
Professional Ethics
References
Corey, G., Corey, M., Corey, C., & Callanan, P. (2014). Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions with 2014 ACA Codes. Nelson Education.
Gido, J., & Clements, J. (2014). Successful project management. Nelson Education.
Schwalbe, K. (2015). Information technology project management. Cengage Learning.
Shapiro, J. P., & Stefkovich, J. A. (2016). Ethical leadership and decision making in education: Applying theoretical perspectives to complex dilemmas. Routledge.
Professional Ethics
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