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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Professional conduct from the scenario in this case study:
John displayed responsible when he asked Williams how the engagement programme would be organised.
Karen and John exhibited professional integrity when they reached out to a third party to help approach the local firm so that they could get the true state of things.
Karen and John communicated with a third party company, so that the project could be completed successfully.
Both John and Karen were discrete and confidential about their about their reaching out to the big firm that partners with local firm.
Karen respected John by not criticizing his work report in the office
Karen and John proved that they were reliable by going an extra mile to get the engagement report right.
Their ability to identify the issues and risk associated with the risk show that they are competent.
Karen and John were both honest about their displease with the engagement report
Karen and John worked together that is teamwork.
Karen n John displayed professional accountability by going an extra mile to get the true state of the engagement report
Commitment.
Cohort 16 team 7.
One of the top skills you need as a project manager is your ability to communicate effectively and relate your messages clearly. Your ability to work with a team. Never under mine their ability. Karen applied wisdom by not publicly criticising John’s work. She gave a constructive criticism, John asked for her honest opinion on how to improve on the situation. Williams on the other hand didn’t communicate his views well. What happened to collaboration ? There’s no ME in TEAM. Everybody’s views Matters, don’t keep to yourself and expect people to read your mind.
Karen and John were lacking communication but when they met at a coffee store the found out that they had issues already with the project at hand. with teamwork and collaboration they were able to proffer solution to their the problem.
William on the hand lack the spirit of collaboration and teamwork and this would have put the work in absolute jeopardy.
my name is Kingsley Okpoko, Team 7, cohort 16.
The professional conduct highlighted in the above case scenario taking into consideration that the plan had to be a carefully arranged forum to elicit the best feedback are thus:
A. Integrity: Williams should have carried John along with the engagement programme, but choose the short cut by contacting an Opinion research firm with an already made report. Thereby undermining the integrity of the report which is not real in reality.
B. Honesty: The opinion research that John brought back fees a bit too fine, which made Karen to be suspicious base on her experience with the firm.
The skills employed to integrate ethical consideration into the decisions made are thus:
A. Criticism: Keren jokingly criticized the engagement report, which made john ask her honest opinion.
B. Communication: Karen and John were able to communicate freely for hours brainstorming different ideas and were able to find a solution.
C. Team work and problem solving: Karen and John had to team up to get the right engagement at the end, after agreeing to contact a big firm that would help them approach the local firm to find out more how they had done there work.
Acting ethically in project management is essential for maintaining the trust and respect of stakeholders, ensuring project success, and fostering a positive work environment. Ethical behavior involves integrity, fairness, accountability, and respect for others. By adhering to these principles, project managers can navigate complex ethical challenges and lead their teams to successful and ethically sound project outcomes.
Issues of Professional Conduct
1. Questionable Integrity of Data:
The initial engagement data provided by the local opinion research firm appeared suspiciously perfect. This raised concerns about the integrity and reliability of the data, indicating a potential lapse in ethical standards by the local firm.
2. Transparency and Honesty:
William’s approach to conducting the engagement program without involving John or adhering to XYZ’s planned methodology compromised transparency. This lack of openness could have undermined the trust and collaboration essential for successful project outcomes.
Skills Used to Bring Ethics into Decisions
1. Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills:
Karen demonstrated critical thinking by questioning the flawless results of the engagement report. Her analytical skills allowed her to recognize the potential issues with the data, which is crucial for maintaining ethical standards in project management.
2. Communication and Persuasion:
Karen effectively communicated her concerns to John, despite her initial hesitation due to her probationary status. Her ability to articulate the potential risks and persuade John to take action was vital in addressing the ethical dilemma.
3. Problem-Solving and Initiative:
John and Karen collaborated to find a solution to the problem. Karen’s initiative in researching and suggesting the involvement of a global firm demonstrated proactive problem-solving skills. This approach ensured that the project adhered to ethical standards by verifying the authenticity of the engagement data.
4. Collaboration and Teamwork:
The resolution of the issue involved close collaboration between John and Karen, highlighting the importance of teamwork. Their ability to work together, share ideas, and develop a plan of action was essential in addressing the ethical concerns and ensuring the project’s success.
5. Ethical Leadership and Responsibility:
John displayed ethical leadership by taking Karen’s concerns seriously and acting upon them. His willingness to reassess the situation and seek external validation of the data showed a commitment to professional integrity and responsibility.
Reflection
In this scenario, the individuals involved demonstrated several key skills that helped navigate the ethical challenges they faced. Karen’s critical thinking and effective communication were instrumental in bringing the issue to light, while John’s leadership and collaborative approach ensured that the problem was addressed ethically and effectively. These skills not only resolved the immediate conflict but also reinforced the firm’s reputation for integrity and reliability.
ACTING ETHICALLY
Some professional conduct highlighted in this scenario
All the people John, Williams and Karen in this scenario all have gain a high level of experience and Professional development.
The issues here are outlined below;
Over-confidence: The three persons John, Williams and Karen felt they have the best experience to carry out the project so they don’t each other opinion or guide.
No Good Relationship: John and william had no good relationship, it was all about their self interest
Poor Communication: No each effective communication among the three.
The skills:
Analytical skills: Karen showed a good analytical skill brainstorming on the best idea.
Communication/Teamwork: Karen communicated effectively to john. The team work Karen and John did by going for more research which eventually help in the project.
Blessing Olusakin (Team 3 Cohort 16)
My take on Company XYZ as regards “Acting ethically” are as follows:
1. Integrity/ trust issues: there seems to be no value of trust bonding the team members which led to the hoarding of information meant to be shared for the successful realization of their goal.
2. Lack of good communication/ collaboration and delivery skills which emanated from the trust issues.
3. Lack of Team work or Team Spirit : it’s obvious some persons were left out which is not ethical to do because Together everyone achieves more and opinions are needed.At some point, standard procedures were compromised which was unhealthy for XYZ and what it stood for.
4. Team members realized what is at stake , exhibited courage by critically coming up with ideas to steer in the right direction despite the risks involved and ensuring right informations and feedbacks were shared . Acting ethically has to be the priority of team members in a project or establishment knowing well that this act is factored into the bottom line which directly or indirectly affects team members.
Achieving set targets,meeting up with Service level agreements, proficiency in communication,relationship management,quality control time management e.t.c are ways we can act ethically as team leads and team members to Forster growth.
in the case study,the team-members portrayed both professional and unprofessional ethics.these professional ethics are:
1. Good analytical skills from karen
2. Teamwork and commmunication between karen and john to resolve the risks
3. Researching skills from karen to gather relevant pieces of information
on the other hand, there was also a display of unethical conducts.THere are
1.lack of collaboration and proper communication between Williams and john at the first stage of the project
In the provided scenario, there are two notable issues of professional conduct:
Lack of Transparency and Communication: Premature Engagement Reporting: John was surprised to find out that the engagement program had already been conducted by William and his team without his involvement or prior notice. This highlights a significant lapse in transparency and communication between the two parties, as John expected a collaborative approach to gather feedback through carefully arranged forums.
Integrity of the Report:
Questionable Data Validity: Karen, a new employee, doubted the engagement report’s validity, which appeared too perfect. This raises concerns about the authenticity and reliability of the data collected by the local opinion research firm. If unchallenged, this could mislead stakeholders and affect the project’s subsequent stages.
To address these ethical challenges, the individuals involved utilized several key skills:
Critical Thinking:
Karen’s Analytical Insight: Karen’s critical assessment of the engagement report identified potential discrepancies, prompting further investigation. This demonstrates her ability to question the status quo and recognize when something seems off.
Effective Communication:
John’s Openness to Feedback: John’s willingness to seek Karen’s honest opinion and engage in an open dialogue about the report reflects effective communication. This facilitated a collaborative problem-solving process.
Resourcefulness and Research:
Karen’s Initiative: Karen’s proactive approach in researching and identifying a reputable global firm to review the local research firm’s work shows her resourcefulness. This external validation helped uncover the flaws in the initial engagement process.
Ethical Courage:
Decision to Challenge the Report: Despite the potential risks to their firm’s reputation and their internal office dynamics, John and Karen chose to address the issues with the engagement report. This decision underscores their commitment to ethical conduct and maintaining integrity in their work.