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.
Hi!
My name is Esther Effiong
The core values in my organisation is
. Transparency
. Intelligent
. Excellent and
. integrity
My organisation’s core values are:
Excellence
Innovation
Reliability
Teamwork
My Organization values are, Love, Empathy. Excellence, Sustainability and integrity.
Every thing i do first comes from the place of love and passion with a touch of excellence and sustainability.
Hi,
I’m Patrick, and I work in the mining sector. The core values of the company I work at include:
Excellence
Sustainability
Safety
Community Development
Global Standards, Local Impact
Ethical Operations
Value Addition
I am currently self employed (freelancer), but i belive that in my previous contract, we valued transparency. This influenced our decisions because it encourages us to share both successes and challenges openly, allowing us to find creative solutions to problems together, much like The Open University’s focus on innovation.
My organisation’s core values are:
We value life
Respect
Care
Excellence
I whatsoever I do at work, I ensured that I provide the best care and attention to my clients.
We do not joke with the elderly neither do we put the lives of the people at risk.
Also we ensure that my establishment is the best at what we do compared to other competitors
The CORE Values of my Organisation is CRISP! Collaboration, Respect, Integrity, Safety and Performance.
We believe that collective strength breeds unparalleled success.
Everyone in the team is treated with dignity.
Our integrity lies in our commitment to honesty, transparency and ethical conduct.
We prioritize the well-being of all, as Safety is paramount
And excellence is our standard in performance.
Temilade Salako
My name is Oludepo Joy.
In my organization, organizational values are more than just slogans; they are the “rules of the road” that ensure the global financial system remains trustworthy. Because my primary product is credibility, these values dictate exactly how I interact with data, clients, and my team.
Here is a breakdown of our organizational values and how they will practically influence my daily project work.
1. Core Organizational Values
Integrity: Doing the right thing even when no one is watching or when it is difficult.
Objectivity & Independence: Maintaining a “neutral” mindset, free from bias or conflict of interest.
Professional Excellence: A commitment to high-quality work, technical accuracy, and continuous learning.
Collaboration (Teamwork): Recognizing that an audit is a massive puzzle that no one person can solve alone.
Innovation: Using technology (like AI and data analytics) to find risks that manual testing might miss.
2. How These Values Influence my Project Work
My work on a project is a cycle of gathering evidence, testing it, and drawing a conclusion. Here is how the values change my behavior at each stage:
A. Integrity & Objectivity (The “Skepticism” Filter)
Influence: On a project, this manifests as Professional Skepticism. You don’t just “take the client’s word” for a transaction.
Practical Work: If a client provides a spreadsheet, you don’t assume it’s correct. You ask for the underlying bank statement or invoice to verify it. You are influenced to look for “what could go wrong” rather than just confirming “what looks right.”
B. Professional Excellence (The “Detail” Filter)
Influence: My organisation have zero tolerance for “good enough.” This value pushes us toward extreme attention to detail.
Practical Work: You will likely perform “self-reviews” before submitting work to a senior. You’ll ensure every number in your testing lead sheet cross-references perfectly to the financial statements. One small typo could undermine the firm’s entire opinion.
C. Collaboration (The “Communication” Filter)
Influence: You are rarely a “lone wolf.” Projects are structured in hierarchies (Staff → Senior → Manager → Partner).
Practical Work: You will be influenced to communicate “early and often.” If you find a potential error (an “exception”) in your testing at 10:00 AM, you are expected to tell your Senior by 11:00 AM. Transparency within the team is prioritized over individual speed.
D. Confidentiality & Ethics (The “Safety” Filter)
Influence: You will often have access to a company’s most sensitive data (salaries, pending lawsuits, unreleased products).
Practical Work: This influences your physical and digital habits. You’ll be trained to lock your laptop every time you leave your desk and never discuss client details in public places like elevators or coffee shops.
Here are the clear core values of my organization and how they guide daily project work;
1. Integrity Excellence
2. Excellence
3. Customer focus
4. Teamwork
5. Innovation
Integrity
I lead with honesty. I share real project status, even when news feels uncomfortable. I do not hide risks or inflate progress. Stakeholders trust my reports. Teams feel safe raising issues early. Projects avoid last minute surprises. Others learn trust saves time and protects outcomes.
Customer focus
I start projects by clarifying the customer problem. I translate requirements into measurable outcomes. I validate deliverables against user needs, not internal opinions. Decisions favor value over convenience. Projects meet real needs, not assumptions. Others learn success comes from solving the right problem.
Excellence
I set clear standards for scope, quality, and delivery. I document plans, risks, and lessons learned. I review work before sign off. I push for improvement after every milestone. Projects stay structured and predictable. Others learn discipline creates consistency and strong results.
Teamwork
I involve the team in planning and estimation. I encourage open discussion and shared ownership. I remove blockers fast. I credit the team for wins and protect them during setbacks. Collaboration improves speed and morale. Others learn strong teams outperform individual effort.
Innovation
I stay open to better tools and methods. I test new approaches when risk stays controlled. I use retrospectives to adjust processes. I support ideas from any role. Projects adapt to change without chaos. Others learn improvement starts with curiosity and feedback.
What people can take away.
• Trust drives transparency and early problem solving
• Customer clarity shapes better decisions
• Structure supports quality and speed
• Collaboration strengthens delivery
• Continuous improvement keeps projects relevant
These values shape how I plan, lead, and deliver. They turn project management into a system people depend on.
In my organization, we have 5 core values that define us a a people. It is embodied in the acronym we call CREST. We have a Vision and our Mission Statement is expressed through these values.
C- Customer First.
R- Respect.
E- Empathy
S- Shared Ambition
T- Tenacity
We attend to walk in customers daily and meet clients who want to heard, so in service to them we must show that they come first, next is showing Respect by responding and not reacting to their complaints. Empathy is key to the heart of a People when you show concern. We have a Shared Ambition to be outstanding in service and Tenacity is not a skill but a zeal to push on till we accomplish our Vision as an organization.
The core values in my organization is timely, safe and quality care rendered to clients.