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 core value of my organisation is steadfast with principles of practice irrespective of the knowledge base of the client. We do what we say we shall do. We are who we say we are.
Excellence, Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, Diligence, Collaboration.
These organizational values increase job satisfaction and workplace morale which in turn helps me find more fulfilment in my work
We are innovative, client centric, pursue excellence, are result driven and engage in teamworks.
I work in an Health Facility and our value are:
Hard work
Honesty
Humility
Being the best
Creativity
Respect for individual
Empathy
Care for people
Cleanliness
Excellent and
Friendliness
Here are some of the values in the organization I work in that contribute to project success:
Integrity
Excellence
Collaboration
Innovation
Accountability
Respect
Customer focus
Diversity and inclusion
Continuous improvement
Sustainability
Transparency
Empowerment
Adaptability
Teamwork
Ethical behavior
This values are set in place to achieve alignment among teams members, motivation workers, and create a cohesive framework that guides project planning, execution, and evaluation, ultimately contributing to its overall success.
The scope of ethics in projects encompasses adhering to moral principles and values throughout all phases of the project lifecycle, ensuring integrity, transparency, fairness, and accountability in decision-making, interactions, and outcomes. It involves considering the impact of actions on stakeholders, team members, society, and the environment, and striving to uphold ethical standards in project management practices to promote trust, credibility, and responsible conduct.
Core values are guiding principles and fundamental beliefs. They help a group of people function together as a team and work towards a common business goal. As a virtual assistant and an aspiring project manager, the core values i bring to my job are: Trust, Honesty, Financial Responsibility, Commitment, Accountability, Quality and Customer Satisfaction.
In any project, ethics plays a critical role in ensuring that moral and ethical company standards are upheld by everyone working for the company. It is always a good practice to do what is right at the right time and in the right way.
Values are like commandments because they show who we really are as a company or an individual. If we uphold personal values or organizational values we will always make good decisions for our own good or for the company and that way the project will be steering towards success.
The scope of ethics in projects encompasses adhering to moral principles and values throughout all phases of the project lifecycle, ensuring integrity, transparency, fairness, and accountability in decision-making, interactions, and outcomes. It involves considering the impact of actions on stakeholders, team members, society, and the environment, and striving to uphold ethical standards in project management practices to promote trust, credibility, and responsible conduct.
There are some values that are important in project management. They include things like honesty, integrity, accountability, transparency etc. It is very important to be open to new ideas, and to be willing to admit when something has gone wrong. Other important values include being able to prioritize tasks, to be flexible, and to be committed to achieving the project’s goals.