Ethics is about making the best possible decisions concerning people, resources, and the environment. Ethical choices diminish risk, advance positive results, increase trust, determine long term success, and build reputations. Leadership is dependent on ethical choices.
Four Values
The PMI Code of ethics includes four values that are core to the ethics and standards for project managers:
Responsibility
As project managers have a level of responsibility based on the organizational structure. According to the code of ethics and professional conduct, responsibility is the project manager’s duty to ownership for the decisions he makes (or fails to makes). He also must take ownership of his actions (or lack of actions). And finally, it is the duty to take ownership of the results of those decisions and actions.
Project managers need to make a decision that doesn’t adversely affect the vested interest of society, public safety, and the environment. He should only accept assignments that mesh with his background, experience, skills, and qualifications. He should keep his promise. Project managers protect proprietary and confidential information.
Respect
Respect in the PMI Code of Ethics and professional conduct centers not only on the respect we may deserve as a project manager, but also on the respect that others are due through their work and contributions to our projects. Respect that others are due through their work and contributions to our project. Respect in project management also is aimed toward our respect for the environment we operate within.
Learn about the norms and customs of others, and avoid behavior that others may find disrespectful. Listen to others and seek to understand their points of view and opinions. Don’t avoid people that we have conflicts or disagreement with; approach them in an attempt to resolve our differences. Conduct ourselves professionally, even when those we deal with don’t act professionally.
Fairness
Fairness is the project manager’s duty to make decisions and act impartially and objectively. The project manager’s behavior should be void of competing self-interests, prejudice, and favoritism. The project manager should demonstrate transparency in decision making. He must be impartial and objective and take corrective actions when appropriate. He should provide equal access to information to those who are authorized to have that information. Project managers give equal opportunities equally to all qualified candidates.
Fully disclose any real or potential conflict of interest. Refrain from participating in any decision where a real or potential conflict of interest exists until PM has disclosed the situation. Have an approved mitigation plan and have the consent of the project stakeholders to proceed. Don’t hire or fire, reward or punish or award or deny contracts based on personal considerations such as favoritism, nepotism, or bribery. Don’t discriminate against others on things such as race gender, age religion, disability, nationality, or sexual orientation. Always apply the rules of the organization without favoritism or prejudice.
Honesty
Honesty is being truthful in conversation and action. It means Project Managers should not over-promise.
PM don’t engage in behavior that is designed to mislead others- this includes but not limited to:
- Creating misleading statements
- Creating false statements
- Stating half-truth
- Providing information out of context
- Withhold information that if know would render
Project managers don’t engage in dishonest behaviour with the intension of personal gain at expense of others.