You are the project manager responsible for a proposal for new work for your company. The competition is tough and your company really needs the business or else 50 people will be without work resulting in a reduction in staff. The business manager tells you we need to win at all costs. She pronounces, “I don’t care what it takes—we need the win”. In fact, your own job depends on whether you win or not. You are on an airplane and sitting behind one of the competitor teams. You overhear their technical and cost strategy and it is tempting to use that information. After all, no one knows that you heard it.
How do you proceed? Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Oct 11, 2019 9:50 PM
Replying to Amany Nuseibeh
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Thank you John for sharing this ethical dilemma. This situation is becoming more common in Sydney as coffee shops and restaurants are turning into "meeting rooms" that are more convenient, however they do not provide the privacy that such critical conversations require.
While the request from the manager is to "win at all costs", I am assuming that this is within the ethical and legal framework that would make any decision respectful, responsible, fair and honest. Using information that one coincidentally comes across would definitely give an advantage over competitors. However, is it ethical? Is it fair? As all competitors should have access to the same information. And if used, would one be able to have a clear conscious that they have done nothing wrong? Would it be better to refrain from engaging in the proposal and step down? or would it be better to stay while consciously refraining from using the additional information? and what about "unconsciously" using the information in the proposal?
Would one be proud and reflect happily in a few years time on the proposal? or would they be ashamed that the information has been used should this be on the first page of a newspaper / or twitter?
The PMI Code of Ethics and the Ethical Making Framework would help. My advice would be abstain from participating in the proposal, refraining from sharing the information maintaining honesty and fairness to the process.
Dear Amany
We have a very similar opinion about the most appropriate behavior.
Thanks for sharing your opinion Saving Changes...
Mohamed HassanProject Management Consultant, Author and Speaker| LIFELONGKuwait, Kuwait
When I think about it, it is really tough situation.
For me I'll use the Ethical Decision Making Framework, and in the meanwhile I'll try to remove myself from the project to not allow myself influence the decision.
Thanks John for making us thinking on this dilemma. Saving Changes...
Alankar KarpeProject and program management, Speaker and mentor | WiproBangalore, India
To me its not ethical to use the information overheard in the airplane. Even when anyone says that I don't care how, as a PM, we have to care how because we should be thinking long term rather than short term. Saving Changes...
Karl TwortSenior Project Manager| Fresh EggUnited Kingdom
This is a great discussion and one I would like to answer by switching the scenario - if it were YOUR conversation that was overheard, how would you react if the person(s) involved used that in a competitive bid against you?
It contravenes the EDMF and can lead to not only personal and professional conduct issues but also legal action in severe cases. Saving Changes...
Ganesh KumarProgram ManagerBangalore., Karnataka, India
Hi John, I had an opportunity to watch this scenario unfold: Account managers who work out of client premises, happen to lay their hands on the competitors commercial and value proposition, things led to winning the proposal. One person from the team happen to let the word out - the MD of the organization wrote to the client, withdrew from the project bid, the account management team was en masse asked to leave. That’s the kind of ethics I happen to witness from a company well known for ethics. I feel the dilemma is not about ethics, it’s about are you talented & worthy enough to bid even if you have competitors information.
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1 reply by Valerie Denney
Oct 15, 2019 9:39 AM
Valerie Denney
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@Ganesh, I really enjoyed your reply. You stated that you feel that this dilemma is not about ethics. I'm curious-- how do YOU define ethics and what is the difference between an ethical dilemma and other decisions that need to be made?
Saving Changes...
Valerie Denney Associate Professor| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University- WorldwideCleveland, Sc, United States
Oct 15, 2019 6:44 AM
Replying to Ganesh Kumar
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Hi John, I had an opportunity to watch this scenario unfold: Account managers who work out of client premises, happen to lay their hands on the competitors commercial and value proposition, things led to winning the proposal. One person from the team happen to let the word out - the MD of the organization wrote to the client, withdrew from the project bid, the account management team was en masse asked to leave. That’s the kind of ethics I happen to witness from a company well known for ethics. I feel the dilemma is not about ethics, it’s about are you talented & worthy enough to bid even if you have competitors information.
@Ganesh, I really enjoyed your reply. You stated that you feel that this dilemma is not about ethics. I'm curious-- how do YOU define ethics and what is the difference between an ethical dilemma and other decisions that need to be made? Saving Changes...
Valerie Denney Associate Professor| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University- WorldwideCleveland, Sc, United States
Oct 11, 2019 3:03 PM
Replying to Vincent Guerard
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Thanks, Kiron
Thanks, John
Lots of informations is available at PMI but often not easy to find.
Vincent, are you specifically talking about the Ethics material or PMI material as a whole? Saving Changes...
Lily MurariuResearch Council Officer Program Advisor| National Research Council CanadaCantley, Quebec, Canada
@John, thanks for bringing this topic to our attention. This ethical situation that may have happened to many of us.
Alignment of our values to the values of the profession and the organization in which we work is the key to how to address this matter. One can definitely use the PMI EDMF (https://www.pmi.org › media › pmi › documents › public › pdf › ethics). Respect and professionalism that you portray need to be exercised. Saving Changes...
Lily MurariuResearch Council Officer Program Advisor| National Research Council CanadaCantley, Quebec, Canada
@John, thanks for posting this interesting question. "When in doubt, tell the truth" said Mark Twain.
Two aspects for consideration:
(1) "Responsibility is our duty to take ownership for the decisions we make or fail to make, the actions we take or fail to take, and the consequences that result." (PMI Code of Ethics, page 2, https://www.pmi.org/-/media/pmi/documents/...e-577fbac4d4b3_ (2) "Respect: We respect the property rights of others." (PMI Code of Ethics, page 4) Saving Changes...
