Project Management

The Project Manager’s Duty of Care

From the Ethics Bistro Blog
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Posted by Albert Agbemenu on: June 20, 2023 06:53 AM | Permalink

Comments (5)

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Ronan O Rourke Retired Executive Manager, Water & Drainage Operations| Retired Bray, Ireland
Thanks Albert Agbemenu and the Ethics Bistro Blog for this article. It is important to reflect on ethical issues and the example is good to highlight how they can sometimes be overlooked. If there was to be an order of priority on any project, Safety of Staff and Public should be right at the top. Thanks again

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Ming Yeung Adjunct Professor & Acting COO/CPO/CRO (contract)| Blockchain Venture Capital Inc. Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Thank you for sharing the thought-provoking article. I see the health and well-being of all the project members to be the most important. Workplace safety can neither be compromised nor overlooked, especially in a hazardous environment like a construction site. Patrick, as the PM, must raise his concerns and advocate/implement practices to ensure the workplace is safe for all stakeholders involved and strive to eliminate such hazards at a reasonable cost.

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Juan Posada Toro Customer Success Manager| Rockwell Automation Envigado, Antioquia, Colombia
Thanks Albert for sharing. Totally agree with Ronan and Ming comments: health, safety, balance and well-being should be always the most important aspects when we are leading a team. Even if we have challenges every day, we must always try to keep these points as a priority.

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Zohaib Qadir System Administrator Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS)| Peshawar Institute of Cardiology Peshawar, Kpk, Pakistan
Thanks a million for sharing this I am in agreement with the comments of Ronan and Ming.

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Shenila Shahabuddin Principal Consultant| Optimizia INC Karachi, Sind, Pakistan
The blog highlights a critical aspect of project management – the ethical responsibility towards the well-being of the team members. The narrative prompts reflection on how project managers manage the resources entrusted to them, particularly human resources. In Patrick's case, the initial focus on meeting project deadlines and reaping rewards led to compromising the safety of the construction workers.

The question posed at the end of the blog encourages project managers to evaluate their approach to managing resources, specifically considering whether they treat their team members with the duty of care. This inquiry emphasizes the ethical dimension of project management, suggesting that project managers should prioritize the safety, health, and overall welfare of their team members.

The blog serves as a reminder that duty of care goes beyond completing projects on time or within budget. It underscores the importance of fostering a workplace culture where ethical considerations, such as safety and employee well-being, are paramount. The transformation of Patrick in the narrative, prompted by exposure to ethical guidelines, suggests that project managers have the capacity to positively influence the work environment by embracing ethical practices.

In summary, managing resources as project managers involves not only achieving project objectives but also ensuring the duty of care towards the individuals contributing to the project's success. Upholding ethical standards and prioritizing the safety and welfare of team members contribute not only to the success of projects but also to the overall health and sustainability of the project management profession.

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