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.
© The Open University
Downloads
– John and Karen were concerned that the engagement report seemed too perfect and was potentially unreliable. However, initially, John appeared willing to accept the findings without thorough validation, which could have led to significant risks for the projects
– William relied heavily on a third-party opinion research firm for feedback instead of engaging directly with the workers on the ground. This approach may have missed critical insights and demonstrated a lack of thorough stakeholder engagement.
Skills Used to Address Ethical Concerns
1. Critical Thinking:
– Karen exercised critical thinking by questioning the validity of the engagement report and recognizing that its findings were suspiciously perfect. Her skepticism was crucial in identifying potential flaws in the research.
2. Effective Communication:
– Karen communicated her concerns to John despite the potential risk to her probation period. This open dialogue allowed them to collaboratively assess the situation and devise a plan to address the issues.
3. Problem-Solving:
– Both John and Karen engaged in problem-solving by mapping out the potential risks of accepting the report as it was and considering alternative approaches. Karen’s initiative to research and contact a global firm demonstrated proactive problem-solving.
4.Ethical Decision-Making:
– John and Karen’s decision to challenge the initial report, despite the risks involved, showed their commitment to ethical decision-making. They prioritized the long-term integrity of the project and the firm’s reputation over short-term convenience.
5. Collaboration:
– The scenario highlighted effective collaboration, with Karen seeking input from close colleagues and working with John to find a solution. Their teamwork was pivotal in addressing the ethical concerns and ensuring the project’s success.
Victoria
Cohort 17 team 10
At the beginning, there was a communication gap although they all had interest in the project. Even after John had a discussion with Karen, they didn’t had plans of sorting them out. Not until Karen carried out a bit research online and was able to come up with a solution.
The skills they used to bring ethics into decision are:
Communication
Research
Ibeh Chiamaka
Cohort 17 team 5
First and foremost John behavior was highly unethical because he carried out the the research work alone without carrying his team members along,
COMMUNICATION
There was communication breach , because, John didn’t communicate with Williams and Karen who were also part of the project and as such there was a hitch in the course of the project.
Even though John’s report drived the engagement which was originally sort, Karen and Williams knew that flying with the results would pose high risk to the project, therefore they came together to brainstorm on how to salvage the situation.
At the initial stage of the scenario there was lack of communications between the parties involved, William did not display any team work at all the purpose of John traveling down was in a way abused. However, communications helped to between John and Karen was the first scope to understood the threats or possible problems they would have encountered on the project with the information given by William.
John acted ethically with William without making issues out of his ways of gathering information but rather took with the perception of ‘let’s see what we can make out of this’ eventually Karen and John did not allow the internal adversity to affect value, they made up to collaborate with others to aid the project success.
I really think that an ethical practice was boycotted in the scenario by Williams, who didn’t make the engagement to happen just as planned. It was why John had to travel down. There was meant to be an information flow but was inhibited by Williams. So there was really no effective communication between the two parties.
But then XYZ company acted in more ethical way. John in particular didn’t take it up with Williams but rather went back to see how they can work with what was handed down. And two of the essential skills needed by a project manager is what they engaged. That is, upholding ethics and standards (moral principles inclusive) and also strog negotiation skills
Williams did not follow the right procedure as to how the project should be done, he also did not work as a team member in carrying the team along . John demonstrated a team lead by checking out for risk and Karen work as a good team player
Despite initial hurdles caused by William, including internal conflicts, unclear organizational values, and poor communication, John and Karen’s leadership skills saved the day. They proactively researched and discussed potential solutions with colleagues, leading to a partnership with a global research firm. This collaboration revealed errors, but ultimately resulted in a successful stakeholder engagement and identification of key challenges for the next project phase. Their initiative and effective communication demonstrate essential skills for project managers.
William acted on his own with the team although for the good of the project, John was in full control by discussing the issue with his team in a composed manner and Karen did her research and came up with a better way of verification instead of confrontation or clash of view that they would have resort to
Willam felt like he was the one who knew it all and thereby thought that anything he says can be approved.
Karen took the initiative to conduct online research and identified a potential partner who could help verify the local firm’s work without making William look poor from his work because of her empathy skill.
John exemplified leadership in this case by giving Karen the chance to tell it as it is and come up with a solution together.
These skills that were important to the project involve critical thinking, leadership skills problem-solving, and communication Karen and John were able to overcome the ethical dilemmas and maintain the integrity of the firm, thereby leading to the success of the project in the long run.
Despite initial hurdles caused by William, including internal conflicts, unclear organizational values, and poor communication, John and Karen’s leadership skills saved the day. They proactively researched and discussed potential solutions with colleagues, leading to a partnership with a global research firm. This collaboration revealed errors, but ultimately resulted in a successful stakeholder engagement and identification of key challenges for the next project phase. Their initiative and effective communication demonstrate essential skills for project managers.”