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.
1. integrity: being honest in your relationship with clients helps to attract trust from your clients when they observe and notice that prices, quantity of goods and day of delivery corresponds to the deal with them at the get-go.
2. transparency: this context goes hand in hand with integrity. when you are open to your clients about certain developments regarding executing your contract, they are rest easy that you will certainly come through irrespective of the challenge.
3. efficiency: this goes a long way to determine the rate of work accomplishment within a specified time. the how, when, and rate of productivity are all measurecd here.
Values are basic or fundamental beliefs that guide and motivate attitudes and actions in an organization.
As an educator our values include
1. Excellence: you must be able to deliver exceptional performance in your work either as a teacher or an administrator because students learn from your actions.
2. Patience : as an educator you must have patience as a virtue in order to carefully study your students and understand how to approach them so as to bring the best possible results in them. You must understand that learning is a process which requires patience.
3. Adaptability: as an educator you must be able to adapt to different situations and environments without reducing your level of impact on your students. You must be able to work under stressful conditions and be flexible.
Organisational values is about integrity, commitment and excellence. These values has helped in delivering solutions to problems as excellence is expected, nothing less.
Integrity: This value ensures that work is carried out with transparency and honesty, fostering strong relationships with team members and stakeholders.
Teamwork: This value encourages sharing of ideas, knowledge, and resources, leading to more innovative solutions and better project outcomes. This value also foster inclusivity irrespective of the diversity of the individuals.
Excellence: This value promotes a commitment to delivering projects that meet or exceed expectations, driving success and satisfaction among stakeholders. Excellence ensures high-quality results and continuous improvement in all aspects of work.
Accountability: This implies taking ownership and responsibility for actions, decisions, and outcomes. This value ensures that commitments are met, deadlines are honored, and any issues or challenges are addressed efficiently.
Adaptability: Being flexible and responsive to change, uncertainty, and new challenges. This value enables teams to navigate evolving project requirements, market conditions, and external factors, ensuring resilience and success in dynamic environments.
Moral principles and values play a crucial role in guiding decision-making and behavior within projects. They provide a ethical framework, fostering trust, collaboration, and a positive work culture. Integrating these principles ensures a focus on integrity, fairness, and social responsibility, contributing to the overall success and reputation of the organization.
Ethics or moral rules form an integral part of our internal and external relationships. Our well-defined ethical values include:
1. High sense of self-worth -We place a value on ourselves. self-respect. we respect others and we expect them to reciprocate
2. Integrity -Honesty and uprightness are our watchwords and this is reflected in our dealings
3. Transparency -openness, clean mind and a clean hand. No shady deals
4. Accountability-we are answerable and responsible for our actions or inactions
5. Appreciation-Gratitude and thankfulness are virtues we practice and inculcate in our students
6. Fairness and Respect for others -No preferential treatment
7. High moral, ethical and spiritual standards or Christlike precepts
These are the seven(7) cardinal points which define our relationship and we cherish them.
Values are enduring beliefs that shape a desirable result of behavior in given situations. values are the ‘bedrock of a company’s organization.
our values at my Organisation are:
teamwork: where we value teamwork and everyone is responsible and accountable to every activity done at our organization.
we value unity in diversity where we value our differences as a way of mutual enrichment and there is no sort of discrimination
we value people not programs, we strive to serve people in a way that can develop them, everyone counts
transparency and accountability
integrity
time
…
Accountability, Respect and Transparency are Moral principles and Values that also helps in managing a project and also in decision making.
As a peer in the DEXA project management course group, some organizational values may include professionalism, collaboration, integrity, and continuous improvement. These values would influence project work by promoting a culture of accountability and excellence. Professionalism would ensure that team members conduct themselves with competence and respect, fostering trust among stakeholders. Collaboration would encourage open communication and teamwork, leading to innovative solutions and efficient project delivery. Integrity would guide ethical decision-making, ensuring honesty and transparency in all interactions. Continuous improvement would drive a mindset of learning and adaptation, enabling the team to evolve and meet evolving project requirements effectively. Overall, these values would shape the group’s approach to project management, emphasizing ethical behavior, teamwork, and excellence in execution.
Without the right values, the work of a project manager will be a difficult one. There should be a core guiding principle that binds the team, and all those involved in the execution of a project.
Respect, commitment, empathy, leadership, teamwork etc are the necessary values that should come into play for a project to have a smooth running.