Program Manager| HARPER SRLSanto Domingo / Distrito Nacional, Dominican Republic
Some projects might be legal but ethically questionable, high carbon impact, biased AI, or questionable supply chains. Do PMs have a responsibility to push back, or is that a decision for executives and boards only?
While a PM should not be involved with anything illegal or unethical - the PMI answer is yes - this is one of those questions where it's beneficial to take a step back and explore things from a broader perspective.
- Can a PM refuse a project?
- What can a PM do to safely push back against a questionable project?
- What is the impact if a PM refuses a project?
I'm not going to dig into answers to these questions. The first is simple, but the answers to the next two can be highly situational. Sometimes, even an obvious answer requires that you think through and prepare for the impact of your decision to do the right thing. Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Lissette Indhira Pimentel Sosa That’s a crucial and timely question, one that sits at the intersection of ethics, governance, and impact.
Project managers are not merely executors of predefined objectives.
We are stewards of impact.
Legality sets the minimum standard; ethics defines the higher one.
Ethics is not the same as environmental or social responsibility.
Ethics concerns how we make decisions - the principles, transparency, and integrity behind them.
Environmental and social dimensions reflect what those decisions produce in the real world.
When a project risks ethical, environmental, or social harm, “pushing back” is not rebellion, it’s responsible leadership.
We are entrusted with transforming resources into value, and if that “value” destroys trust, ecosystems, or equity, then it’s not real value.
The decision may rest with executives or boards, but moral responsibility is shared across the leadership chain.
Courageous PMs raise red flags, document concerns, and promote open dialogue — that’s part of governance.
Ethical awareness is not beyond our remit; it’s at the very heart of professional project management.
Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
That is a very valid question, Lissette, and there will be no answer to it. Ethical decisions are made by individuals in specific contexts, owing loyalty to the organizations they are employed with.
Think beyond environmental and sustainable: include any cost-down project that fires many people, or any colonial exploration of third-world countries, or any military operation intended to kill humans. Or any projects executed successfully by terrorists. The project manager, who led and executed these initiatives, made the ethical decision to do so.
That is why I question the inclusion of paradigms or beliefs represented by sustainable, social, or diversity goals into the art and techniques of running projects and programs. Project management, in my view, should be values-agnostic. And if you look at reality it is. Many projects have both winners and losers.
Project Managers do have a responsibility to raise ethical concerns, even if ultimate decisions rest with executives or boards. PMs act as the bridge between strategy and execution, providing transparency on risks—ethical, environmental, or social—and advocating for responsible practices. Escalating issues ensures informed decision-making and protects the organization’s integrity.
Great question. Not only do project managers have a moral duty to think about how their projects will affect stakeholders, but also society and the environment. Even though project managers might not always be able to say no to a project, they should voice their concerns when they think the project could hurt people or the environment.
The right thing to do is to push for responsible alternatives, write down the risks, and take the problem to the next level of government through the right channels. Being honest and having integrity is in line with PMI's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, especially the principles of fairness and responsibility.
In the end, a project manager's job isn't just to deliver outputs; they also have to make sure that the outputs are useful and don't break any ethical or environmental rules. Saving Changes...
Clément VERDETSustainable transformation consultant| UdétopiaMeyrargues, France
Hello,
Personally, I bring back this question to another one: who do I want to face each and every day in the mirror? Therefore the answer dos not come from outside. It lies in me.
Ethic is an individual perspective nurtured by our cultural context, therefore you can dig further by asking yourself: why do I find this projet sensitive? And maybe use the five whys to find some answer?
You can find insights in other's voices but you'll find an answer by looking inside. Saving Changes...
Product Operations Program ManagerBarcelona, Cataluña, Spain
This decision has to be made on a case-by-case basis. Does it conflict with your values or beliefs? Can you afford to turn it down?
It’s similar to the stock market. Some “ethical” investment funds avoid companies in sectors like defense or certain types of banking. That approach works for investors who prioritize ethics, while others focus solely on maximizing returns and don’t mind those sectors. Saving Changes...
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