As we talked about before in this module, it’s important for project managers to work ethically. This means doing the right thing, not just following rules. There are written rules and laws, but there are also moral rules and values.
What are these moral rules and values? Let’s break it down with some explanations and examples.
Moral rules are like a list of dos and don’ts for how a person should behave. For instance, one moral rule is “don’t steal.”
Values are strong beliefs that guide how we act in different situations. They show what we think is good behavior. Values can be personal, but they can also be shared in groups like companies. When a bunch of people in the same group share these values, they shape how everyone acts in that group.
In companies, these shared values are super important. They make up the core of what the company’s culture is all about. These values are a small set of important beliefs that don’t change much, and they really influence how people act at work.
For example, The Open University (2019) has some values they believe in:
In our work, we stick to The Open University values of being inclusive, innovative, and responsive.
The value of being inclusive and innovative is a big part of what people do at The Open University. They use this value to make sure everyone can access knowledge through new and creative solutions.
Values and moral rules help everyone know how to behave in a group or at work. It’s good to think about them to understand how they affect the decisions we make when working on projects.
Think about the values your workplace or a group you’re in follows. Can you name some of these values? How do these values affect how you work on projects? Share your thoughts with other learners in the discussion below.
Ethics in project management is very important because it builds trust, ensures fairness, and keeps projects aligned with both professional standards and organizational values.
Omah Eucharia Chinenye
In my organization, our values are teamwork, openness and integrity. One lagging behind is equal to everyone lagging behind and no matter what was observed whether good or bad, it should be made known so that it will be appropriately looked into…
Any project I have in mind will be fueled by morals and values possessed by the organisation and fellow workers. Ethics such as integrity, patience, honesty and trustworthiness helps me associate with my fellow stakeholders knowing fully well we can trust ourselves with a piece of task. Teamwork is another important ethic too as we associate with one another
All organisation have rule and regulation,so those rules are set so we can achieve the goal.
Values are ending beliefs that shape better result.
It is important to note ethics really matter in organisations and handling projects. It helps to keep everyone in check and also makes everyone accountable. Knowing the organisational values gives you a sense of direction in a project and helps you to keep a good organisational behaviour as you have some set of rules and behaviour guiding you.
So on this note, it is important to note them and act accordingly to have a smooth and successful project.
In my organisation, we highly uphold the values of integrity and honesty.
In my organisation, teamwork is top tiered because when any department is lagging it affects overall performance. Honesty and respect are part of the morals we work by and as project manager i build trust so that anyone can bring issues to me and i would help find solutions.
In organizations, shared values such as organizational transparency, unconditional adherence to standards and zero tolerance to unethical practices serve as the foundation of company culture. They represent a core set of guiding principles that remain consistent over time and shape both decision-making and behavior across the workplace. For project managers, aligning initiatives and team collaboration with these values ensures not only effective execution but also long-term organizational success.
Ethnic values and moral rule help keep individuals in check also in an organization, the values of an organization help guilds my activities, creates a consciousness of how things are to be done and helps me relate with my colleagues at work(team work). It helps build an organized work environment.
Ethics guide how I work on projects. I follow moral rules like honesty and respect. I value teamwork, responsibility, and accountability. These help me make fair decisions, keep trust with others, and deliver quality results. They shape how I treat people and solve problems at work.