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.
In my organization, one of our core values is communication, everyone is assigned duties, we communicate by giving feedbacks for accountability purpose, having in mind that we are dedicated to the success of our clientele.
Micah Chijioke Madu
Project Management
Cohort 12
Team 6
An example of solutions to a situation that can create a serious dilemma for the project manager and may contradict the organisation’s policy on employees’ wellbeing in addition to the solutions provided in the lesson are:
Providing facilities for home based work station to team members so that they can work extra hours at home while with their family.
Recruiting project assistants to share work load off team members. Team members can delegate some tasks to these assistants, still work their normal hours, and get the project delivered on schedule.
An example of projects that may have been criticised at the beginning, and in time, lead to substantial cultural changes in organisations could be the developing a social media platform for global social interaction between and amongst subscribers. This may before now have been seen as a no ply area for an organization given their core organizational values hing on moral ethics. They may have perceived such platforms as a catalyst for the moral decadence prevalent in the society. However, cultural values may change over time as they begin to better understand the true value of such platforms, realizing the tremendous contribution it makes to learning and pertinent information dissemination.
In my workplace (a hospital), our values include transparency, warmth, inclusivity and responsiveness.
These values affects our project in that we want to make the project easily understandable for everyone and in such a way that reflects our high regard and concern for our clients. We also make sure that the needs and concerns of our clients are taken into consideration; we look at all the ways the project might affect others and incorporate that into the decision making process.
Micah Chijioke Madu
Project Manager
Cohort 12
Team 6
One of the core organizational Values of my organization is Integrity. This core value enables us to critically engage company practices openly and honestly, owning up to and taking responsibility for our mistakes as well as learn from said mistakes. It also creates in us the awareness to meet commitments such as set targets, expectations. and individual or organizational goals and aspirations. It engenders such qualities as commitment, honesty, open-mindedness, respect, trust and consciousness to personal responsibilities.
Another organizational value we practice is Accountability: It’s importance cannot be over emphasized. Accountability promotes authenticity in work practice. It encourages all in the organization to show up fully, hold oneself accountable, and lead with most authentic self. It encourages an attitude of proactive approach to mistakes, leadership by example, authenticity in relationships, as well as clarity in roles, rules and expectations.
The scope of ethics in my current job is integrity this is a core value in the organisation, communication it is important to communicate each person duties so as to achieve a desirable results, Accountability,respect and excellence
I completely agree with you.
Creating free awareness of the importance of having insurance cover for everyone in Nigeria but ‘no premium no cover’. This has over the years guided our behavior. Even if your a family member that needed an insurance cover, you must pay your premium first.
Sunday Nathaniel Ngwamah, Cohort 12, Team 10.
Scope of Ethics in Project:
Ethics has a non-negotiable place in project management. Ethics in project management have far reaching consequences on project success and on the way the organisation is viewed by all stakeholders.
We are realtors. We make layouts, we build and we do agency (property management).
In my organisation, we hold unto “Integrity, hardwork, profit.”
In integrity, we put into perspective regulatory framework, promises made to clients of quality of materials to be used in a project, fair judgement and treatment to all without fail, honesty, truthfulness, and a true report always.
By hardwork, we don’t believe in free money and easy path. Though we believe in and actually do smartwork, we generally believe the virtue of hardwork as a hallmark of business is a general identifier and trademark that will pay off and as bases for expectations. When a work is done both hard and smart, result becomes inevitable.
In profit, we believe that profit is a derivative of integrity and hardwork. Profit is a byproduct of integrity and hardwork. Where there is no integrity and hardwork, profit expectation is unjustifiable and unnatural. Where there is integrity to all stakeholders and to oneself, and a work out in places, profit becomes natural.
Summarily, we out our best to keep to regulatory framework, professional ethics and rules of conduct, be strict with principles in the course of our project management
Being ethical and holding unto guiding principles has made us lost jobs before, but sure enough, we have also gained several.
Glad to see a co realtor here as a course mate, and I must say, your submission is exhaustive and accurate.
The scope of ethics in my current project is integrity, diversity, and inclusion through GESI (Gender Equality and Social Inclusion), as well as collaboration among different project teams through job rotation and cross-cutting activities for effective communication across departments and levels.
Ethical project management entails a 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.
In my workplace, discipline, integrity are transparency are paramount. Fair treatment of stakeholders, both internal and external has led to an equitable project environment. Social responsibility adds another layer, urging project managers to consider the broader impact of their decisions on the environment and community. Importantly, 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.
Some organizational recognized
1. Integrity: Demonstrating honesty, ethics, and transparency in all dealings.
2. Excellence: Striving for the highest quality in products, services, and performance.
3. Innovation: Encouraging creativity, embracing new ideas, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
4. Collaboration: Promoting teamwork, cooperation, and effective communication across departments and levels.
5. Customer-centricity: Prioritizing the needs and satisfaction of customers, consistently delivering value.
6. Respect: Treating all individuals with dignity, fairness, and empathy.
7. Accountability: Taking ownership, being responsible for actions, and meeting commitments.
8. Diversity and Inclusion: Valuing and embracing a diverse workforce, fostering an inclusive and equitable environment.
9. Social Responsibility: Being committed to sustainable practices, community involvement, and ethical behavior.
10. Adaptability: Embracing change, being agile, and responding effectively to evolving challenges and opportunities.