Categories: Ethical Dilemma, Ethical Leadership, Ethics, Ethics as a competence, Ethics Bistro, Ethics in Communication, Ethics Insight Team
Introduction
Central to PMI’s mission is upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct and professionalism. To this end, PMI has established two critical bodies: the Ethics Review Committee (ERC) and the Ethics Advisory Team (EAT). Each team plays a vital role in sustaining PMI’s ethical framework, mandates, and responsibilities. This blog provides clarity on the structure, function, and distinctions between these two teams, aiming to provide project management professionals with a clear understanding of their importance in the PMI ecosystem.
ERC and EAT place in PMI
PMI is a membership-based organization. Members elect directors to the Board, reinforcing the organization’s accountability to its global membership. PMI’s governance structure is broadly divided between the Board of Directors and the CEO/Executive Leadership Team1
The Ethics Review Committee (ERC) is a PMI Board Reporting Committee that investigates and resolves ethics complaints under the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. The Ethics Advisory Team (EAT) functions as a team of subject matter experts in the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct within PMI's Legal Team. Both teams are comprised from PMI volunteers and supported by PMI staff.
Collaboration and Boundaries
Ethics Advisory Team (EAT)
Purpose and Mandate
The Ethics Advisory Team (EAT) is an advisory and educational initiative within PMI. The EAT provides guidance, interpretation, and support regarding ethical dilemmas, applying the PMI Code of Ethics. EAT promotes awareness, understanding, and application of PMI's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. Its focus is prevention, education, and guidance.
Members of the EAT are PMI volunteers selected for their expertise in ethics, experience in project management, and ability to provide clear, unbiased advice.
EAT provides the "educate and advise" function. In change management and process improvement terms, the ERC aligns with the Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, and Ability stages of Prosci’s ADKAR framework and the Define, Measure, Analyse, and Improve phases of Lean Six Sigma’s DMAIC process.
Key Responsibilities
·Guidance: Providing advice on ethical dilemmas to members, chapters, and stakeholders.·Education: Developing and delivering training, webinars, and resources related to the PMI Code of Ethics.
·Interpretation: Clarifying elements of the code and addressing ambiguities.
·Support: Assisting individuals and organizations in embedding ethical practices in their operations.
·Thought Leadership: Contributing to the evolution of PMI’s ethical standards.
Key activities
Educating PMI members, certification holders, candidates, and volunteers on the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.- Creating tools, resources, communications, and educational content.
- Providing community insights and subject matter expertise to PMI.
- Supporting ethics awareness and ethical decision-making across the profession.
- Collaborating with PMI Legal, Research, and the Ethics Review Committee.
Process Overview
1. Members or stakeholders submit questions or scenarios.2. The EAT reviews and deliberates on the issue.
3. Guidance is provided, typically in the form of written opinions, presentations, or resource materials.
4. The team may use anonymized real-world examples to educate the broader PMI community.
Ethics Review Committee (ERC)
Purpose and MandateThe Ethics Review Committee (ERC) is a formal ethics enforcement body within PMI tasked with investigating and resolving allegations of violation of the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. The ERC is responsible for investigating complaints, conducting thorough reviews, and making decisions based on its findings. ERC members must maintain strict confidentiality throughout the process and avoid conflicts of interest. Impartiality is paramount to ensure fairness for all parties involved.
The ERC is composed of experienced PMI volunteers who possess deep knowledge of the code and investigative procedures. Members are selected based on their ethical track record, professional integrity, and commitment to PMI’s values.
Role in the Ethics Framework
ERC plays the investigator and enforcer role. In organisation change management terms, its role aligns with the Reinforcement phase of Prosci’s ADKAR framework. From a process improvement perspective, it corresponds to the Control phase of Lean Six Sigma’s DMAIC process. By investigating alleged violations and enforcing appropriate outcomes, the ERC helps close the loop between developing the Code and ensuring its consistent implementation.
Key Responsibilities
·Case Intake: Receives and reviews submitted allegations of ethical violations.·Investigation: Investigates by reviewing submitted evidence, soliciting the relevant parties for additional information and gathering supporting documentation.
·Deliberation: Reviews and determines whether the available evidence supports finding that the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct has been violated
·Enforce: Take disciplinary actions, which may include reprimand either public or private, suspension of, or revocation of PMI credentials and/or membership
·Reporting: Documents findings and communicates outcomes to relevant stakeholders.
Key Differences Between the ERC and EAT
Nature of Work- ERC: Investigative and disciplinary.
- EAT: Advisory and educational.
- ERC: Deals only with individuals involved in ethics complaints.
- EAT: Supports any PMI member seeking advice or clarification.
- ERC: May recommend sanctions or disciplinary actions.
- EAT: Provides recommendations, guidance, and educational resources.
- ERC: Maintains strict confidentiality due to the sensitive nature of investigations.
- EAT: Upholds confidentiality but may share anonymized guidance for educational purposes.
- ERC: Empowered to recommend disciplinary actions.
- EAT: No disciplinary authority; operates in an advisory capacity.
