Ethics Bistro

Project Management Institute (PMI) volunteers are the lifeblood of the organization. Their dedication, expertise, and passion contribute significantly to advancing the project management profession. However, with such responsibility comes the critical need for ethical conduct. The PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct serves as a cornerstone framework that PMI volunteers should actively champion.

• Ensuring Trust and Enhancing Credibility

The PMI Code of Ethics transcends mere guidelines; it's a resolute commitment to upholding the highest professional standards. By adhering to the core principles of responsibility, respect, fairness, and honesty, PMI volunteers foster a culture of trust within the project management community, both at the chapter and global level. This translates to a more credible and respected profession, ultimately benefiting all stakeholders.

• Ethical Navigation: A Framework for Decision-Making

The complexities inherent in project management can present situations where ethical boundaries become unclear. The code provides PMI volunteers with a clear roadmap for navigating these challenges. Whether facing pressure to compromise quality or navigating conflicts of interest, the code equips volunteers with the framework necessary to make sound, ethical decisions.

• Leading by Example: Setting the Standard

PMI volunteers often serve as mentors and role models for emerging professionals in the project management community. By demonstrating ethical leadership and sharing their experiences with ethical decision-making, volunteers help shape the next generation of project managers, instilling in them the importance of integrity and ethics in their careers.

• Beyond Compliance: Striving for Excellence

The PMI Code of Ethics extends beyond mere adherence to established rules. It encourages volunteers to strive for excellence and continuous improvement. By upholding the aspirational standards outlined in the code, volunteers contribute to the overall advancement and development of the project management profession.

• A Foundation for Success

PMI volunteers play a pivotal role in shaping the future of project management. Their active embrace and promotion of the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct ensure a strong foundation built on trust, respect, and ethical decision-making. This, in turn, benefits not only the profession itself, but also the countless projects and stakeholders that rely on skilled and ethical project managers.

What are your thoughts on the importance of PMI's Code of Ethics for volunteers? Share your insights in the comments below!

PMI currently upholds a Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct grounded in four core values expected from every project professional and aspiring project professional. Over recent years, there has been a notable transition from the waterfall approach to Agile in project delivery.

This article is the first of series of articles that will explore how embracing PMI values can enhance project managers “Power Skills”, ultimately boosting the certainty of project delivery in an agile environment.

As a reference the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct values are Respect, Responsibility, Fairness and Honesty. In this article we will focus on the value of Respect.

“Respect is our duty to show a high regard for ourselves, others, and the resources entrusted to us. Resources entrusted to us may include people, money, reputation, the safety of others, and natural or environmental resources. An environment of respect engenders trust, confidence, and performance excellence by fostering cooperation—an environment where diverse perspectives and views are encouraged and valued.” https://www.pmi.org/-/media/pmi/documents/public/pdf/ethics/code-values-card.pdf?rev=44578e34774241568ce0034489794fe4&sc_lang_temp=en

PMI defines Power Skills as Human Skills such as “Communication, leadership, collaboration, empathy… these are some of the power skills that help to build strong teams and successful businesses” https://www.pmi.org/learning/publications/pm-network/digital-exclusives/power-skills-are-human-skills . Delving deeper into acquiring and mastering these skills reveals the importance of embracing the value of Respect.

How does Respect relate to Agile? Let's examine the Agile Manifesto's values and principles.

Values

• Individuals and Interactions over process and Tools
• Customer collaboration over contract negotiation

Principles

• Business people and developers must work together daily throughout the project
• Build projects around motivated individuals. Give them the environment and support they need and trust them to get the job done.
• The most efficient and effective method of conveying information to and within a development team is face-to-face conversation.
• Agile processes promote sustainable development. The sponsors, developers, and users should be able to maintain a constant pace indefinitely.
• The best architectures, requirements, and designs emerge from self-organizing teams.
• At regular intervals, the team reflects on how to become more effective, then tunes and adjusts its behaviour accordingly.

What we observe is that only half of the values and principles are listed, and this half pertains to interactions and relationships among humans, including team members and stakeholders. Respect serves as the foundational ingredient necessary for effectively adhering to these principles and values.  Without mutual respect, meaningful interactions and collaborations cannot occur. If individuals do not treat each other with respect, interactions and relationships will suffer. This lack of respect will weaken the relationship between the business and developers, hindering their ability to work and collaborate effectively.

In Agile, constant information sharing is crucial for successful delivery. Respect ensures the effectiveness of ceremonies such as daily sprints and retrospectives. For instance, if respect is absent during retrospectives, the team's ability to reflect and improve on practices diminishes, leading to poor outcomes.

We've all observed daily sprint meetings exceeding the prescribed 15 minutes due to team members discussing unrelated matters. Respecting team members' work-life balance is an example of fostering sustainable development pace. Respecting everyone's time during daily sprint meetings and adhering to prescribed guidelines fosters an environment conducive to sustainable development. Failure to do so disrupts team dynamics and impedes progress.

These examples underscore the importance of Respect as a core value for Project Professionals. It is a fundamental ingredient in acquiring and mastering Power Skills, particularly relevant in Agile environments where effective collaboration is paramount.

I invite further discussion on this topic within the forum and encourage you to stay tuned for my next article.

Running into her friend and colleague Samir, Lisa said “I’m glad I saw you -- I wanted to get your thoughts on something that happened in a meeting this week. I’m not sure what I should do.”

“What do you mean?” replied Samir.

“Well, the other day we had a program meeting of all the PMs assigned to the new restructuring program to talk about stakeholder engagement. In the discussion, I mentioned that the PMBOK is a great guide to best practices in this domain. One of the PMs, new to our organization, asked what I was referring to – hard to believe, but she didn’t know about the PMBOK and only slightly knew about PMI. I suggested she think about joining PMI, and by way of proof I added that, as a member of PMI, I had a PDF download of the PMBOK and showed her the Stakeholder Engagement Domain section on my laptop. She was very interested and asked me to send her a copy of the PDF. When I explained that I could not do that because it would be a violation of the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, she was visibly annoyed. To my surprise, another PM in the room then said he thought it wasn’t a big deal and sent her a copy of his right there in the meeting!”

“Wow, that’s not good at all, he really shouldn’t have done that!” said Samir. “What are you going to do?”

“I think I need to say something to someone about it, but I’m not sure who. Clearly, he doesn’t care that it’s a Code violation, so there’s no point in talking about it with him, but it would be wrong to just look the other way, right?”

“Absolutely!” exclaimed Samir. “I think you need to report this to PMI. Let’s check the website to see what to do.”

Lisa got out her phone and went to pmi.org. In the search bar, she entered “Ethics” and then scrolled down among the choices. Six or seven entries down, she clicked on “Ethics Complaints” where she found two links that looked helpful. For guidance on how to handle the situation, she saw that she could send an email to [email protected]. If she was pretty sure that further action was needed, then she could click the link to “File an Ethics Complaint.”

“This is great, thanks for the help!” said Lisa excitedly. “I can get some advice, and now I know where to go to report it if I decide that’s what I should do.”

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How about you? Have you ever observed unethical behavior by another PM? What did you decide to do, and why? Would your reaction be different depending on the severity of the ethical breach? Would you have had any different advice for Lisa? Comments and feedback welcome!

Once upon a time in the dynamic realm of project management, where the hum of algorithms met the cadence of human decisions, ethical considerations took center stage. Project managers found themselves at a crossroads, facing dilemmas influenced by the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Our story unfolds within the context of the Project Management Institute's (PMI) Ethical Decision-Making Framework, a guiding compass in the unfolding ethical odyssey of AI-enhanced project management.

In the heart of project management, the integration of AI introduced both opportunities and challenges. Project managers grappled with ethical dilemmas as algorithms influenced decisions that shaped project destinies. The PMI Ethical Decision-Making Framework emerged as a beacon, illuminating the path to navigate these ethical nuances.

Our protagonist, the conscientious project manager, embarked on a journey guided by the PMI framework. The first step was to define the ethical dilemma at hand, unraveling the intricacies of AI-driven decision-making. Real-world scenarios became the canvas on which the project manager painted the ethical landscape.

Armed with knowledge, our protagonist delved into the second stage – gathering information. Transparency became a key quest, as the project manager sought to understand the inner workings of AI algorithms. The goal was to make informed decisions while ensuring clarity and explainability. As the story unfolded, the importance of stakeholders came into focus. The project manager recognized the diverse cast involved – from team members to end-users. The ethical responsibility extended beyond immediate concerns, considering the far-reaching impact on all stakeholders.

A myriad of options lay on the ethical table, each with its consequences and implications. Our project manager evaluated each option against the ethical principles embedded in the PMI framework – responsibility, respect, fairness, and honesty. At the decision-making crossroads, the project manager made choices that aligned not only with the immediate ethical concern but also contributed to the project's long-term ethical culture. The PMI's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct served as the guiding script.

With the decision made, the project manager moved into the implementation phase. Practical considerations, communication, and transparency took center stage. The ethical resolution wasn’t just a decision but a commitment to ethical culture throughout the project.

The story ends with a promise to navigate the ethical journey of AI-enhanced project management, guided by the PMI Ethical Decision-Making Framework. As we think back on this adventure, we invite you to share your thoughts on how AI ethics will shape the future of project management. What problems and opportunities do you see, and how can the collective wisdom of the project management community contribute to an ethical and creative landscape? We value your insights, so please share your thoughts in the comments section below. Let's keep exploring the connection between ethics and innovation in the dynamic world of project management together!

Reference:

PMI Ethical Decision-Making Framework

In the heart of Projectville, where projects pulsated with ambition, a seasoned project manager named Alex embarked on a transformative journey. This is a tale not just of innovation but of ethical leadership, where the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) became a beacon guiding projects through the ever-evolving landscape.

Setting the Ethical Stage:

Amidst the whirlwind of project complexities, Alex was entrusted with a groundbreaking initiative. The project was not just a quest for deliverables; it was a commitment to ethical project management. It was in this ethical context that AI emerged, promising efficiency without compromising on fairness and transparency.

AI as the Ethical Ally:

The introduction of AI was not merely a technological upgrade; it was a strategic decision to embed ethics into the project's DNA. The AI algorithms were programmed not just for optimal outcomes but for ethical considerations, fostering a culture of responsibility from the outset.

The Dilemma of Ethical Efficiency:

As the project unfolded, Alex encountered the delicate balance between efficiency and ethical considerations. The AI, equipped with its algorithms, made decisions that required scrutiny. The project manager grappled with the responsibility of ensuring that AI-driven efficiency did not compromise on fairness or diversity.

Illuminating Ethical Transparency:

In a pivotal team meeting, Alex chose transparency as the cornerstone of ethical leadership. The black box of AI decision-making was opened, and the team engaged in a candid discussion about the ethical implications. Transparency became the catalyst for fostering a shared understanding of AI's role in decision-making.

Collaboration as the Ethical Paradigm:

Recognizing AI not as a substitute but as an ethical partner, Alex advocated for a collaborative approach. The diverse team, each member embodying unique perspectives, collaborated harmoniously with AI. The result was not just efficient project outcomes but an ethical legacy that permeated the project's every fiber.

AI's Ethical Legacy:

As the project concluded, it left behind not just deliverables but an ethical legacy. Alex's leadership had infused a commitment to fairness, transparency, and collaboration. The ethical considerations, meticulously woven into the project's fabric, became a foundation for future initiatives.

Conclusion:

As the story of Alex unfolds, it reveals a deep truth: AI in project management goes beyond tasks; it's a guide through the ethical landscape. Alex's journey shows that in project management, where innovation and ethics blend, the process is as crucial as the outcome.

Now, let's ponder: Can we, like Alex, see AI as more than a tool? Can it be a force for ethical change, shaping a future filled with compassion and inclusivity? The story prompts us to ask: How can we use AI ethically to navigate not just projects but also the moral challenges in our work?

So, here's a question for you: How can AI be a compass for ethical choices in your projects?

Related to PMI's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct:

This narrative aligns with PMI's emphasis on ethical conduct, reflecting the commitment to responsibility, fairness, and transparency in project management. AI's ethical integration resonates with PMI's principles, ensuring ethical considerations echo through every project.

References:

PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct

PMI Ethical Decision-Making Framework