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.
Value is an essential component in various fields. As an entrepreneur, what stands out from my perspective are:
1. Passion: As an entrepreneur, I should be enthusiastic about my company and be able to inspire others. This energy fuels my entrepreneurial journey and attracts like-minded people to my ventures.
2. Self-Motivation: I should be motivated by a strong desire to succeed and willing to put in the necessary effort to achieve my objectives.
3. Vision and Creativity: There should be a clear vision and a strong desire for innovation. Be a creative problem solver capable of transforming ideas into reality.
The scope of ethics in projects encompasses the moral and ethical considerations that arise during the planning, execution, and completion of a project. This includes ensuring transparency, accountability, and fairness in decision-making processes; respecting the rights and interests of stakeholders; and managing risks responsibly. Ethical considerations also involve upholding professional standards, protecting data privacy, and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Moreover, ethical practices in projects can lead to better outcomes, such as maintaining trust with clients, fostering a positive team culture, and avoiding potential conflicts or reputational damage. By integrating ethical principles into all stages of a project, project managers can contribute to its success while upholding the integrity and reputation of their organization.
At Yharah Logistics where i once worked, inclusivity stands as a cornerstone of our ethics. We firmly believe that every member of our team and every client we serve is inherently valuable. This principle guides our decision-making process, ensuring that the needs and perspectives of both staff and clients are carefully considered at every turn. By prioritizing inclusion, we cultivate a harmonious work environment and foster strong, enduring relationships with all our clients.
Values are guiding rules that help to maintain a standard in an organisation.
Values also help to create a unique culture in an organisation. As ministry Administrator it’s my job to ensure all minister comply with the organisation’s ethic.
For instance one of our ministerial ethics is to ensure you are in the church 30mins before every service, this is required so as to encourage members to come for service as early as possible. This helps the minister to be more conscious of time outside.
Values have a profound impact on how one approaches and works on projects and with team members. Values are principles that are important to an individual and organization in dictating what they consider right or wrong. One of the values of my workplace is give respect get respect. This helps in regulating how individual relates with each other in the organization as it helps to set boundaries on standard procedures.
Morals and values are essential to every individual as well as organization.
Every organization has certain values that guides its activities.
Some of my Company’s values are:
Inclusivity: my company is non discriminatory of tribe, religion, gender, culture or beliefs
Adherence to rule of Law: my company is heavy on adherence to rule of law
Empathy:
Integrity:
Time management
Excellence
Below are possible alternatives and strategies for handling a situation where a project manager needs to ask project members to work overtime or during sensitive times:
He can:
• Foster a culture of open communication where team members feel comfortable expressing concerns about workload, overtime, or conflicting commitments.
• Encourage team members to communicate any personal constraints such as family responsibilities or religious observances early in the project planning phase.
• Explore flexible work arrangements such as staggered work hours, telecommuting options, or compressed workweeks to accommodate team members’ needs while ensuring project deadlines are met.
• Offer options for team members to make up hours at a later time or through alternative means, such as working remotely during non-standard hours.
• Conduct thorough resource planning and allocation at the project initiation stage to identify potential gaps or conflicts in workload and resource availability.
• Allocate resources strategically, considering individual skills, availability, and workload capacity to minimize burnout and ensure equitable distribution of tasks.
• Implement wellness programs that promote work-life balance, stress management, and mental health support within the organization.
• Offer support services such as counseling, coaching, or workshops on time management and prioritization to help team members cope with demanding project schedules.
• Recognize and appreciate team members’ efforts and sacrifices during challenging project phases or overtime periods.
• Consider offering tangible rewards such as bonuses, extra time off, or professional development opportunities as incentives for exceptional performance and commitment.
• Involve team members in decision-making processes related to scheduling, workload management, and resource allocation.
• Empower team members to propose alternative solutions or creative ideas for meeting project deadlines while respecting personal boundaries and well-being.
• Conduct post-project reviews and feedback sessions to gather insights on the effectiveness of strategies implemented to manage workload and overtime demands.
• Use lessons learned to refine project planning processes, resource management practices, and organizational policies related to work-life balance and employee well-being.
Some of the value in my organization are:
Time management
Integrity
Continuous learning
Boldness
Dynamic
Good communication and good follow up.
When it comes to morals and values, it is a good thing everyone needs to have in them.
Because it brings self-respect, good recognition, and a successful career.
Anyone with a good sense of humour will want an organization where the individuals thrive in morals and values.
It brings progress and success to both the organization and the employees who exhibit such great values.
Every organization wants to succeed in what it offers, so having rules that guide the worker’s behaviour is a good one.
Another good value is having understanding, empathy, and good energy.
Being always positive at heart is a great value.
My organization’s values of integrity, professionalism, strong focus, quality, and trust are indeed crucial guiding principles that can significantly influence work in projects:
Integrity:
Upholding integrity means being honest, ethical, and transparent in all actions and decisions.
In projects, this value would influence team members to deliver accurate information, meet commitments, and follow through on promises.
It fosters a culture of trust and reliability among team members and stakeholders.
Professionalism:
Professionalism entails maintaining high standards of behavior, competence, and ethics in one’s work.
In projects, professionalism translates to adhering to project protocols, timelines, and quality standards.
It emphasizes respectful communication, accountability, and a focus on achieving project objectives with dedication and expertise.
Strong Focus:
Having a strong focus means staying committed to priorities, goals, and deadlines without distractions.
In projects, this value drives team members to concentrate on critical tasks, avoid scope creep, and manage time effectively.
It promotes efficiency, productivity, and the ability to deliver project outcomes within specified timelines.
Quality:
Valuing quality means striving for excellence, accuracy, and consistency in deliverables and processes.
In projects, a focus on quality ensures that deliverables meet or exceed stakeholders’ expectations and industry standards.
It involves rigorous testing, attention to detail, and continuous improvement throughout the project lifecycle.
Trust:
Trust is built on reliability, honesty, and consistency in actions and communications.
In projects, trust is essential among team members, stakeholders, and clients to collaborate effectively and achieve project goals.
It encourages open communication, constructive feedback, and mutual respect, leading to stronger relationships and successful project outcomes.
These values not only guide individual behaviors but also shape the overall project culture, team dynamics, decision-making processes, and stakeholder relationships. Embracing these values fosters a positive work environment, enhances project performance, and builds a reputation for excellence and reliability in project delivery.