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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Here, I discover team work and unity among the three in the case study. One of the thing that destroy a project work is lack of teamwork working together in other to achieve a desirable goal. Again, when there is no agreement between the teamwork whereby everybody decision and opinion are not the same nothing will work. If a team must work together, then having on mission and vision is very important. If Mr A, B, and C are saying the same thing they are bound to be successful and achieve what they want.
From the scenario painted, it can be deduced that the three parties involved didn’t embark on the project on a good note.
They don’t have a plan to work with and their goal wasn’t clearly stated and documented. Hence, the lack of agreement and collaboration between John and Williams.
Karen on the other hand, wanted to play the neutral person at the beginning, due to the fact that she’s new on the project and doesn’t have much experience like John and Williams. Also, she doesn’t want to be in the wrong book of John probably they had a personal relationship outside the workspace. However, her kind of disposition to work is not healthy for any kind of project.
Thankfully, she was the one who eventually brought the solution to the challenge they were facing on the project.
Here, I discover team work and unity among the three in the case study. One of the thing that destroy a project work is lack of teamwork working together in other to achieve a desirable goal. Again, when thete is no agreement between the teamwork whereby everybody decision and opinion are not the same. If a team must work together then having on mission and vision is very important. If Mr A, B, and C are say then there are bound to be successful and achieve what they want as I saw the ladder or teamwork and unity.
It’s amazing how the team works together in step by step to achieve the project, I see the interest of John in everything that will make the project successful
APM case study:
In an engagement program with a key stakeholder, three team members (Karen, John, and William) were selected to provide feedback on potential project hurdles. However, the team’s initial approach was flawed:
– Lack of teamwork and communication: The trio didn’t hold a kickoff meeting, working individually instead.
– Inadequate reporting: Only William submitted a report, which was overly positive and lacking in substance.
– Distractions and lack of focus: John was sidetracked by other activities, failing to scrutinize William’s report.
Karen initially hesitated to express concerns due to her rapport with John and desire to maintain a comfortable working relationship. However, she eventually adopted a tactful approach:
– Initiating open communication: Karen discussed the report’s limitations with John.
– Collaborative problem-solving: They jointly analyzed the report’s pros and cons.
– Independent verification: Karen conducted online research and consulted peers to validate the report.
By employing effective communication, collaboration, and critical thinking, Karen helped create an environment of integrity and transparency. This ultimately led to the identification of significant hurdles for the project’s next stage.
Key takeaways:
– Importance of teamwork and communication in project management
– Dangers of inadequate reporting and lack of scrutiny
– Value of open communication, collaboration, and critical thinking in navigating ethical challenges
– Need for proactive approach to identify potential project hurdles.
Issues identified are; No full involvement of the concerned persons on the project, False assumption, Report of Convenience, Absence of team spirit and communication while the skills used to bring ethics into the decision are; Effective communication, proper synergy with resource persons, and helpful materials.
In this Scenario they faced the following challenges which hindered decision making
1.Lack of communication
2.Lack of interest
3.low self esteem
4. Zero tolerance
Unethical Behaviour: Lack of carrying the team members along can be very risky. The project is to be carried out in a team not in the absence of the other partner. Williams was unethical as he planned not to involve John and only to give him a ready-made report.
Communiation: Communication plays a key role in a project. Probably, if John and Karen had spoken up in time, maybe the risk would have been noticed and sorted out much earlier. Although, it was finally resolved.
Teeam Work: Team work is one of the core values of any organization. Karen and John teamed up to find solutions to the problem with the help of their colleagues too. Because they communicated, the problem was identified, discussed and solution was found.
– lack of communication
– lack of integrity
– lack of trust
– low self-esteem
– zero tolerance.
In this case study, John, William, and Karen faced challenges due to a lack of supervision and a clear reporting structure, which hindered unified decision-making. Poor communication and a lack of mutual understanding created further disconnect. Each dealt with imposter syndrome and low self-esteem, avoiding conflict to keep the peace. With strong communication from the start, they could have resolved issues efficiently and directed their energy more productively.
The issues I could pinpoint
1. Unethical Practice- William had a plan not to involve John from the start. This will also affect how the clients see John. He put John’s company at risk. This includes dishonesty and lack of transparency. William is not a person of integrity.
2. Lack of communication- John and Vivian work in the same company. Both could tell something was wrong but waited till the following week. It was good they found the right engagement but what if they didn’t. This should have been done immediately they found out something was wrong. John was too angry and Vivian didn’t want an issue in the office.
What they did right? Vivian was honest with how she felt. Which was also how John felt. If they had communicated.
They went back to the drawing board, looked at the visions, pinpoint the problems and risk.
When they couldn’t come up with a plan. Vivian spoke with her colleagues and did research and developed a plan. They were able to then cross their hurdle