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
From my observation, I think Williams lacks communication skill and teamwork . He wasn’t able to bring any thing to the tables for deliberation while Karen is more for a good communicator, critical thinker and problem solver and these are few important skills a PM should possess.
From the case study Williams lack communication skills which is very important for every project manager, he didn’t involve his team members, it is paramount to give every member of the team an opportunity to participate in decision making just to air their own point of view. Karen is a good communicator, a critical thinker and also a problem solved which makes her a good project manager
As known, project management involves 80% communication and in this scenario Williams didn’t carry John along and the decision making was one-sided.
Even after Karen brainstormed with John, they still couldn’t identify the project problem, until they asked for help. So, it’s okay to ask for help,if need be, from there you can also learn from it.
Team work is essential.
Good planning techniques is paramount.
Seeking professional assistance is important.
In all, ineffective communication/lack of team work spirit can jeopardize an ongoing project
This scenario shows that Williams lacks transparency by not communicating with his team members on how things are going he only worked based on assumptions.On the other hand John doesn’t communicate well with his team members as the manager,and usual communication is highly important while, Karen is a good communicator a critical thinker and also a problem solver.
The main issue here was ineffective communication, John did not pass the right information to his team members about his expectations and everything. While Williams issue was his assumption that the local opinion research firm’s approach and results were sufficient without consulting John or aligning on expectations. He underestimated the importance of the engagement process as envisioned by XYZ, prioritizing efficiency over thorough stakeholder feedback. This reflected a lack of clear communication and understanding of the project’s broader goals. Karen’s issue was her initial hesitation to voice concerns about the credibility of the engagement report due to fear of workplace repercussions, especially being on probation. This reluctance delayed addressing potential flaws in the project, risking its success and the firm’s reputation. However, once she communicated her concerns, she contributed effectively to resolving the problem. Hence, once the system of communication was put in place, everything was easier to resolve.
I felt the main issue here was ineffective communication, John didn’t have clear communication with the team about his expectations and everything. William’s main issue was his assumption that the local opinion research firm’s approach and results were sufficient without consulting John or aligning on expectations. He underestimated the importance of the engagement process as envisioned by XYZ, prioritizing efficiency over thorough stakeholder feedback. This reflected a lack of clear communication and understanding of the project’s broader goals. Karen’s issue was her initial hesitation to voice concerns about the credibility of the engagement report due to fear of workplace repercussions, especially being on probation. This reluctance delayed addressing potential flaws in the project, risking its success and the firm’s reputation. However, once she communicated her concerns, she contributed effectively to resolving the problem. Hence, once the system of communication was put in place, everything was easier to resolve.
I felt the main issue here was ineffective communication, John didn’t have clear communication with the team about his expectations and everything. William’s main issue was his assumption that the local opinion research firm’s approach and results were sufficient without consulting John or aligning on expectations. He underestimated the importance of the engagement process as envisioned by XYZ, prioritizing efficiency over thorough stakeholder feedback. This reflected a lack of clear communication and understanding of the project’s broader goals. Karen’s issue was her initial hesitation to voice concerns about the credibility of the engagement report due to fear of workplace repercussions, especially being on probation. This reluctance delayed addressing potential flaws in the project, risking its success and the firm’s reputation. However, once she communicated her concerns, she contributed effectively to resolving the problem.
From my view point , lack of good communication absence of professional conduct inappropriate ethical values and approach can lead to project havoc within the project member and can endanger the whole plan of the project.
William, known as “the people’s man,” should be cautious about taking shortcuts when preparing reports, as this could jeopardize the project’s future. His lack of communication, collaboration, and integrity is both unprofessional and unethical. Given that things evolve constantly in the project environment, collaborating with John, the Project Manager, to prepare the report correctly would have been the most appropriate course of action.
John, on the other hand, should have addressed his concerns with William about the report immediately. His reputation and that of his company are at stake, making it crucial to resolve such issues promptly and effectively.
Karen must recognize that staying silent because she is on probation and fears losing her job is not justifiable. Allowing this issue to persist could result in a flawed or delayed project, which would ultimately impact her career as well. Speaking up in such situations is essential for maintaining both professional integrity and project success.
For me, part of the project’s first stage was an engagement programme with a key stakeholder. Their feedback was to help identify any substantial hurdles that could influence key parameters for the next stage of the project. But William did not follow the due process of the engagement program with John and Karen, as John was excited and got carried away on the first day and on the second day, he had conflict of interest. Karen could not open up totally to John because of her personal benefit and didn’t want to shoot herself at the leg.
The skills used to help bring ethics into decisions used by the people involved in this scenario were: Research work, teamwork, collaboration and communication.
William concluded the engagement program to early without consulting or meeting up with stakeholders, he didn’t follow the right process.
John on the other hand did not immediately reject the report but was still skeptical about the way William handled it.
Karen, seeing the report was not comfortable with the report, so decided to talk to John admist her own insecurities.
Karen and John thought about what could happen with each choice.
They looked at the good and bad outcomes of their decisions, both morally and practically.
This shows that Karen is a good communicator. She’s also bold and confident. John is also one who listens. This case shows critical thinking, problem solving and collaboration.