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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The Professional Conduct highlighted in the Scenario:
John acted maturely and exhibited a professional and ethical conduct
Williams on the other hand, was not a good team player, lacked ethics and integrity, he did not communicate openly with his team and was Self-Centered.
Karen was proactive, smart, problem solver and shared information with her team. She also conducted research and found solutions to the problems.
In XYZ Company, the skills employed to integrate ethical considerations into the decisions made includes: Communication, Teamwork, Collaboration, integrity, Transparency and Accountability, these skills are essential in carrying out the project successfully and timely because this will build trust, promote teamwork, build operational synergy and promote excellence in the company.
John and Karen came into the project with hopes of applying all Project management tools to see to a successful project completion. Williams on the other hand flouted several ethical standards by not communicating with John and Karen about the opinion research firm.
If he had informed them about the firm it would have led to a collaboration between all parties involved thus leading to the success of the project in the shortest possible time.
In project management, ethics is essential and cannot be overemphasized. In this particular scenario, the professional issues I noticed are as follows:
– Lack of open communication
– Lack of integrity
– Dishonesty
– Unwillingness to take responsibility
– Prejudice
The skills that were employed to incorporate ethics into decision-making include:
– Communication
– Upholding a good reputation
– Seeing the big picture
– Consultation
– Research
– Accountability
– Willingness to go the extra mile
As a project manager, I must not avoid addressing issues that could jeopardize my reputation, the organization’s reputation, and the reputation of project managers in general.
One lesson I learned from this scenario is the importance of being tactful, just like Karen. Although John had more experience than Karen, his overly nice approach was on the verge of undermining the reputation of XYZ. He must learn to leverage others’ strengths to effectively address impending challenges.
Like Karen, I must be proactive in every situation and develop the ability to lead from behind. I appreciate that both John and Karen chose to handle the issue diplomatically, utilizing consultation to obtain genuine feedback.
I must also learn to be accountable in every situation, understanding that every decision I make—or fail to make—will impact the project. I need to be willing to go the extra mile to do what is right.
As an effective project manager, I must avoid handling people and projects in the manner of William, who prejudged John and was unwilling to accommodate his perspective. I should allow others to be themselves, as long as it does not negatively affect the project.
Lastly, I must remain open to communication in order to reach a conclusion in every phase of the project.
Operating within the ethos always puts a project manager in high demand. Analysing the 3 characters mentioned in the write-up. John and Karen exhibited the skill, the character and sufficient experience expected of a project manager. William also did well but lack or failed to appreciate the importance of team work, communication, braintorming and knowledge sharing. He was too quick to judge there by undermining the contributions of others in the team. One could conclude that William was selfish. One could say that John was cool, calm and collected in the way he handled the situation. Karen, being a new entrant acted pretty amazingly, a smart way to resolve issues when it crops up rather than being confrontational which could escalate into hostility at work environment. She took her time to observe the situtuation with John and was very smart to take full advantage of the opportunity when it shows up. She was very bold and clever to discuss the issue with John because they both knew that the report from Willian was too good to be true. She went extra mile to do personal research on the solution. She was also generous about sharing information and timely, leading to effective communication and productive action. John and Karen communicated effectively, the type every project manager should imbibe. Another fit is involving a third party or assigning roles to an independent actor for the good of the project and saving the reputation of the company. The project was successfully delivered because John and Karen acted ethically and professionally. Acting ethically is crucial for project managers in making decisions impacting stakeholders, organizations, and society.
Here are key aspects:
Ethical Principles for Project Managers
1. Respect: Value stakeholders’ rights, dignity, and cultural diversity.
2. Fairness: Ensure impartiality and equity in decision-making.
3. Honesty: Communicate transparently and accurately.
4. Integrity: Adhere to laws, regulations, and professional standards.
5. Responsibility: Account for project outcomes and impacts.
6. Transparency: Provide clear and timely information.
7. Accountability: Take ownership of decisions and actions.
Benefits of Acting Ethically-Project Management
1. Builds trust and credibility
2. Enhances reputation
3. Promotes teamwork and collaboration
4. Ensures compliance
5. Supports sustainable outcomes
6. Fosters social responsibility
7. Encourages innovation and excellence
8. Build operational synergy
Consequences of Unethical Behavior
1. Legal and financial repercussions
2. Damage to reputation and brand
3. Loss of stakeholder trust
4. Decreased morale and productivity
5. Project failure
Ogoke Nwachukwu Felicia O COHORT 18
Skills identified are effective communication, collaboration, and critical thinking.
The issues identified:
The company has an established culture which is well known and this must be protected by all means to retain the company’s reputation .
The company is faced with a dilemma of landing a major deal that will bring huge gain to the organization by aligning with the ideas of a major stakeholder which which is not inline with the culture of the organization.
A new/junior member of the team has just identified a potential treat to the success of the project and is faced with a challenge on how to communicate with the leader without necessarily having a face off.
Skills Deployed:
Effective communication,Negotiation and Research to understand the environment.
Understanding personalities and ther ability to catch on in a work friendly environment
Communication and teamwork
The major issue faced was ineffective communication and it was latter resolved coupled with teamwork collaboration.
I am Maduabuchi Gerald Uche
The case study outlines several instances of professional conduct and highlights skills related to integrating ethical considerations into decision-making. Here are a few notable points:
1. Commitment to Integrity:
John, a project manager at XYZ, recognizes that the engagement program’s feedback was critical for the project’s success. When he discovered that the process was not followed as planned, he felt uncomfortable with simply accepting the results without further scrutiny.
2. Transparency and Communication:
John openly discussed his concerns about the engagement report with Karen despite his initial hesitation. This reflects the importance of transparent communication within a team, even when the information may be challenging to address.
3. Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving:
Karen demonstrated critical thinking when she questioned the perfection of the engagement report. Her skepticism led to further investigation, showcasing her analytical skills and dedication to ensuring the project’s integrity.
4. Proactive and Ethical Decision-Making:
Karen and John took proactive steps to address the issues with the engagement report. They sought out an independent review from a reputable firm to verify the findings, ensuring that the project’s next stage was based on accurate data. This decision reflects their commitment to ethical standards and accountability.
5. Courage to Challenge and Innovate:
Despite the risk to her position, Karen encouraged John to look beyond the immediate project and consider the broader implications for the firm’s reputation. This shows her courage in advocating for ethical practices, even when it could negatively impact her standing within the company.
The skills the individuals involved demonstrate include integrity, critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and ethical decision-making. These attributes were crucial in integrating ethical considerations into their decisions and ultimately safeguarding the project’s credibility and the firm’s reputation.