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.
THE VALUE OF MY DEPARTMENT WHERE I WORK AS A SOUND ENGINEER IS TO STRIVE FOR QUALITY SOUND AND GIVE QUALITY SOUND TO THE HEARING
As typical of consultants in the building industry, our organizational values where I work are among several others:
1. Be contented in all things
2. Honesty in your dealings with stakeholders
3. Ensuring building rules and regulations are strictly adhered to regardless of whose ox is gored
4. Insisting on standard codes of practice
5. Be transparent
6. Decline monetary gratification shrouded with ulterior motive which may turn out to discredit one eventually
The value of a Slum Regeneration Authority is to improve living conditions, infrastructure, housing and overall quality of life in slum areas.
As an architect working in a Regeneration area, the value of the authority’s work influence my work in several ways:
1. Design: I used to align my architectural designs with the goals of the Regeneration Authority, focusing on creating functional and aesthetically pleasing structures that contribute to the overall improvement of the area.
2. Community Engagement: the value of the authority makes me to engage with local residents and stakeholders to ensure my architectural plans meet their needs and expectations.
3. Compliance and Regulations: I used to adhere to any specific regulations and guidelines set by the authority to ensure my project aligns with their vision for the area.
4.Budget and Resources: I must work within the budget and resources allocated by the authority to deliver a successful outcome.
5. Sustainability and Long-term Impact: I used to incorporate sustainable and long-term solutions in my designs to ensure the improvements are lasting and continue to benefit the community.
In summary, the value of a Slum Regeneration Authority’s work has significantly influence my role as an architect, shaping my designs, interactions, and project outcomes to support the community development and improvement in regeneration areas.
The core values of my organization are:
Upholding the highest levels of integrity.
Serving our Customers.
Delivering to our stakeholders.
Being proactive.
Constantly raising the bar.
Growing our people.
Respecting each other.
Working in teams.
These core values can influence my work in projects by keeping me abreast and ahead, making me proactive and a focused project manager
One of my organizational values that I have learned is inclusiveness and being user-centric. I strongly believe that incorporating these values into project management would greatly contribute to the success of a project
Our Core Values in my Organization is listed below:
– Integrity
– Professionalism
– Excellence Mindset
-Capacity Building
– Customer Service
– Compliance
-Community Empowerment
These are the key values staffs bear in mind on daily basis when rendering services……..
As a revenue generating agency our core value is hinged on
*INTEGRITY
*PROFESSIONALISM
In our organization,the key values are integrity, consistency excellence team work and client’s satisfaction.
We believe that always doing what we know to do with integrity and as a team will bring excellence and eventually bring satisfaction to our clients and to everyone involved.
Our organisation values based upon academic excellence, studying of books that foster building up of spiritual life and also innovation. These have been achieved through tutoring students under our tutelage and encouraging them to study spiritual and innovative books in which we show ourselves as an example to them for them to emulate.
Ethics in project management involve adhering to moral principles and values to ensure responsible and just behavior throughout the project’s lifecycle. Here’s a breakdown of these concepts:
1. Moral Principles: These are fundamental rules or guidelines that dictate the behavior of individuals involved in the project. Examples include honesty, integrity, not stealing, and treating others with respect.
2. Values: Values are enduring beliefs that influence the desired outcomes of behavior in specific situations. They serve as a standard of conduct and can be individual or shared within an organization. In an organizational context, values shape the company’s culture and guide individual and group behavior.
3. Organizational Values: These are values developed by individuals and groups within an organization. They are foundational to the company’s culture and inspire behavior in the workplace. Organizational values are often a small set of relatively stable attributes that reflect what the organization stands for.
For project managers, understanding and aligning with these moral principles and values, whether they are individual or organizational, is essential for making ethical decisions and guiding the project team’s actions. These ethical considerations help ensure that the project is conducted with integrity, fairness, and in a manner that respects the rights and well-being of all stakeholders.
In a small business or any group, identifying and reflecting on these values can influence project decisions and actions. They help create a framework for ethical project management and contribute to the overall success and reputation of the organization.
In my organization, our key values are especially regularity and punctuality where being present in your duty always and on time is not joked with.
Also being responsible and accountable for the duty you serve.