It is now time to review a case study that focuses on ethical behavior.
Access the Open APM’s ethics case study resource provided below to read a scenario concerning ethics in projects.
Can you pinpoint a few instances of professional conduct highlighted in this scenario? Reflect on the skills employed to integrate ethical considerations into the decisions made by the individuals involved. Can you recognize them?
Share your responses in the discussion section below.
After posting your comment, proceed to the next step, where you will find some potential answers provided by APM for these questions.
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Hello!!!
My name is PAUL NWEKE, COHORT 16, TEAM 9.
Having gone through the scenario in the case study, I have the following observations from the three (3) individuals mentioned therein – John, Williams, and Karen.
John an experienced project manager and Williams an overseer of the project are both very experienced more than Karen who joined XYZ earlier in the year.
John lacked communication and no proper reporting channel between him and the other team. John traveled to have a meeting with the client to set the pace for the project unknown to him that some of the things he thought he wanted to do had been taken care and that was as he went for sightseeing.
Williams on the other hand believing he is the people person without proper communication went ahead to carry out the program even though he could do that with John too. Hence, William’s ethical problem includes that of Lack of communication, and Using shortcuts to generate his results.
Kareen, however, who is not as experienced as John and Williams saw everything but could not say anything about it until she was asked by John as she was afraid as a new staff, it might look as if she was criticizing any of them. Upon discussing with John, she actually proffered a solution through her research. She was just scared of criticizing a job done that her boss had taken.
so, the major problem is the lack of communication and proper reporting skills between John and Williams.
Olakunle Bayode
Team 8
Lack of proper communication between the team is clearly seen. John believes in following procedures, making research, and working with locals. William, in a bid to be fast ignore to communicate his intention with the team and Karen too intimidated to express her concerns.
The value of teamwork can never be underestimated, teamwork between John and Karen was able to advert any unnecessary troubles. Also, discussing the issue with others was crucial to finding a solution and negotiating with vendors with experience in similar project was necessary.
Nnadi Stella Chidinma
Team 7
From the case study,
John and William had ethical issues like Lack of Communication and Collaboration
Almost the three , there was no team work.
The people selected to represent XYX firm were selected based on their testimonials, John and William are experts, and Karen on the other hand joined the firm not too long ago and she loved her job.
The professional conduct I can identify from the scenario is an eventual Teamwork that came up between John and Karen at the end when they both agreed on the conclusion that the report was too real and perfect. They teamed up to analyse, research, and consult colleagues in other to identify the challenges of the project and the possible solution.
I could also identify Negotiation. Though it wasn’t a long detailed one but I sense from the meeting John and Karen had with the Big Firm, that before they would reach an agreement to work with the locals directly, there must have been some negotiation.
Proper Communication was the major issue in that scenario. William used his influence to get what he wanted, which is good but it would have been much more ethical if he communicated with John who was also a team member on that project. Instead, he concluded on his own. Karen on the other hand, because she joined the company due to its reputation and her love for the job, didn’t communicate her points of view to John because she considered being new to the firm and still on probation as a yardstick and she didn’t want it to look like criticism.
Above all, the lack of communication brought out division among the team but in the end, it was restored by John and Karen.
The case study in the scenario above identifies two professionals well grounded in their jobs. John and Karen were knowledgeable about the ethics of their organization which must be adhered to if their reputation was to be maintained.
First, on arrival at the new project location, ethical consideration played out at John’s request for a kick off of the project opposed to pleasures.
Though he faltered at Williams conviction to accept an obviously doctored research report. His seemingly unease reveals he had an inkling of a possible compromise by Williams.
Karen, though new, displayed professionalism by identifying at first glance, errors in the report.
They were able to resolve it by applying the following skills:
1. Problem Identification /Solving – searching out avenues to effect corrections on the report or at least get a genuine replacement.
2. Negotiation – they had to get their clients attention and involvement to accept a review and a new research
3. Team Building – Jane displayed this by seeking opinions from her peers and working in synergy with John.
Communication was a bit skewed from all involved at the beginning. Issues were not tabled until John sort Janes opinion.
From the scenario in the case study, I observed that both John and Williams are very experienced more than Karen.
John traveled to have a meeting with the client to set the pace for the project but instead of focusing on what brought him,decided to do a little sight seeing.
John’s ethical problem includes;
Lack of communication
Not reporting immediately he got to his station.
To Williams, he saw that action as lack of total commitment to the project and without any proper communication went ahead to carry out the program believing he is a people person and can influence anyone, he can actually do that with John too.
Williams ethical problem includes;
Lack of communication
Lack of commitment
Using shortcut to generate his results
Kareen on the other hand who isn’t as experienced as the other two had her concerns but couldn’t speak up about it until she was asked by John. She didn’t only point out her concerns but went ahead to give him proffer solution.
The only problem she had was being scared of criticizing a job done that her boss has taken.
Through collaboration,communication,teamwork and critical thinking, John and Kareen were able to come up with a better review for their project.
According to the scenario;
John is a project manager and one of the people setting up the new firm and was excited about the contract, because he want to broaden his experience and was surprised to be taking out of the contract the next day. To be told he will be given the result in few days.
Ethical problem for john;
1. lack of communication and professionally
Should have reported the day he arrived and not looking at interesting view.
william has worked for the clients agency and has influence
Ethical problem for william;
1. lack of collaboration and communication
2.Acting smart and short cut.
Karen joined the company for its focus and reputation and culture.And handle the situation well by going to john.
Skills
1. communication
2. collaboration
3. Team work
4. Research
5. Honesty
The roblems identified ccording to the scenario include:
1. Lack of proper communication between John and William
2. No collaboration between John and William
3. Relationship between John and Karen was ‘strained’
The skills used to solve the issues include:
1. Collaboration
2. Casual meetings
3. Communication
4. Research
John was excited about the job and was expecting to handle a task with Williams. Williams acted unethically while the lady and John acted with integrity
What I deduced from the team is that, although everyone has the experience and capacity to make the project successful but there was something lacking between them.
Communication and Collaboration, these are prerequisite that makes the dream work and the project a success. unfortunately, none of that was exhibited, john and Williams were both on their own way while Karen was proactive to communicate her findings to them. these could pose a ruin in XYZ project.