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.
Using my volunteer role as a church treasurer, our organization (the Church) upholds values such as integrity, transparency, and community service. These values form the foundation of our work and significantly influence how we approach projects within the church community.
Our organizational values play a crucial role in project management. For example, integrity guides us to maintain accurate and honest financial records, ensuring that our projects are conducted with the highest ethical standards. Transparency is paramount in our communication, especially in financial transactions, to foster trust among stakeholders. Community service drives the purpose of our projects, ensuring that they align with the needs and well-being of the church community.
For example, in a recent fundraising project, transparency was a key value in action. We openly communicated the project’s financial goals, how funds would be utilized, and provided regular updates to the congregation. This not only aligned with our values but also built trust among members and supporters.
Our values heavily influence decision-making during projects. For instance, when faced with choices related to budget allocation, the values of accountability and community service guide decisions that prioritize the mission of the church and the welfare of the community. Adhering to these values ensures that our decisions align with ethical standards and contribute to the greater good.
Adhering to these values positively impacts our stakeholders. Members of the congregation trust in the transparency of our monetary management, volunteers are motivated by a sense of community service, and the overall success of our projects reflects the credibility of the church.
Of course, there are challenges, while upholding these values, we recognize potential challenges, such as time constraints during project execution. To mitigate this, we prioritize effective communication and planning to ensure that our projects maintain ethical standards without compromising efficiency.
HR can help the organization differentiate by matching assignments to people with prior relevant experiences, as they will perform better. This is another way in which Human Resource Management can help the organization deploy its people in an even smarter way to create business impact. Standing out for me.
As a Manager and Administrator… You must discipline yourself. Guided by the standard of the organization.
Ethical-moral will keep you in check. The service satisfaction of customers attracts more clients. Mutual respect and understanding of your colleagues help to achieve the desired result in a project.
PM must be upright, a problem solver
And a good team player.
An example of an organisation’s written norms, laws and directives is the ABC Policy (Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy). Corruption is any abuse of entrusted power for private gain and may include, but is not limited to, bribery. A Project Manager must not accept bribes or inducements in any form.
Ethical project management entails a multifaceted commitment to legal compliance, moral principles, and transparent, fair practices. Project managers must navigate legal frameworks while also upholding moral values that transcend written guidelines.
Transparency and integrity are paramount, fostering trust through open communication and honest decision-making. Fair treatment of stakeholders, both internal and external, is a cornerstone of ethical conduct, ensuring an equitable project environment. Social responsibility adds another layer, urging project managers to consider the broader impact on the environment and community. Ultimately, ethical project management involves conflict resolution and decision-making guided by a dedication to what is right rather than expedient, contributing not only to project success but also to the overall well-being of stakeholders and society.
The Core Values at the Reddington Hospital Group are Excellent Customer Service, Quality, and Care. This is how I sum it all up…How much you care, the degree of that care will determine whether or not your customer service was an excellent one”.
These values when enshrined in your heart just have a way of keeping you in check.
As a public health professional, one of the core values will be patient centered care, how health care providers treat patients. Also, dignity , compassion and respect are core values.
As a project coordinator in the humanitarian space,
our core values include:
Integrity
Honesty
Accountability
Transparency
Dedication
I am in an Aerospace Mentorship organization, some core values are:- innovation, excellence, safety, collaboration, and continuous learning.
These values significantly impact our project work by instilling a commitment to pushing boundaries in aerospace innovation while maintaining stringent safety standards. Collaboration among mentors and mentees would be encouraged, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and teamwork. Striving for excellence would drive project participants to constantly improve and innovate in their respective roles, while the value of continuous learning would promote staying updated with the latest advancements in aerospace technology and mentoring practices.
As an Engineer, some core values of the organizations I worked with that aligned with my values are respect, collaboration , creativity and integrity.
Being respectful makes collaboration with team members easy, thus increasing creativity amongst ourselves, and integrity wraps it up because a honest/ open communication and high level of accountability is important in the success of any project.