I think there is a difference. The historical evolution of this document may not support it, but if you truly were to separate 'ethics' and 'professional conduct', you could start with this statement from section A.2: Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct that not only describes the ethical values to which the global project management community aspires, but also addresses the specific conduct that is mandatory for every individual bound by this Code.
There is Ethics, and then there is Professional Conduct - not all Conduct language exists there because it is the ethical thing to do. Professional Conduct originates from the things we as PMs/PMI members value (responsibility, respect, fairness, and honesty)
One example I found is: 4.2.1 We demonstrate transparency in our decision-making process... We want to conduct business this way (Values), but I don't think demonstrating transparency is an ethical issue. You could do non-transparent decision making and still be ethical.
So the Code is a combination of Ethics and Values.
Thank you Peter for this thought provoking question. And, thank you Samuel for such a thoughtful response. I certainly agree that ethics and professional conduct are different, and complementary. I believe the authors of PMI's "Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct" must have intended it to be this way when they published this document a decade ago. They included both mandatory standards and aspirational standards. And when describing the aspirational standards portion of the document they included the position that "conducting ourselves in accordance with these [aspirational standards] is an expectation that we have of ourselves as professionals." Further reading of this document provides insight the reasoning; to "instill confidence in the project management profession and to help an individual become a better practitioner." Saving Changes...
Tony ApplebyDirector, Strategy and Solutions| Delegata CorporationAlameda, Ca, United States
Here’s my two cents:
Ethics are rules and guiding principles for individuals and groups, which usually fairly clearly state the things that those individuals and groups can and cannot do across a variety of contexts. Codes of ethics are usually framed in the context of a vocation or occupation and help guide toward a common philosophy and way of thinking.
Professionalism can be characterized as the abilities, proficiency, and conduct of an individual and/or group of people, usually within a certain vocation. Guidelines regarding professionalism assist those individuals and groups with better understanding the characteristics desired regarding minimal levels of aptitude and behavior when performing their work. Saving Changes...
Alankar KarpeProject and program management, Speaker and mentor | WiproBangalore, India
I think Ethics are set of guiding principles which guides the individuals & help them to choose a course of action. Professional conduct is the set of action which comes from the guiding principles. Saving Changes...
Ethical refers to the good values a society has established. Professional conduct refers to trained, experienced, skilled and educated behavior performing the job at the highest level of expectations. Saving Changes...
Partha S. Ghose, PMPDirector - Projects| Kalyani Steels LimitedNavi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
I think, ethics has elements of empathy and values while professional conduct is pursuing activities in accordance with the generally practiced and accepted guidelines of the particular profession, which may sometimes be devoid of empathy or values. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Associations or organizations usually have two type of codes: code of ethics and code of conduct. You will find them in two different documents but in this case the PMI has put both together. Code of conduct is based on code of ethics. And you could find associations or organizations where there is no distinction between both and they only have the code of ethics available because those organizations consider that the code of ethics covers both topics. Saving Changes...
Brian MukoyiProjects Manager| J R Goddard ContractingBulawayo, Zimbabwe
Great discussion. Thank you all. Saving Changes...
As several colleagues wrote before:
"Code of Ethics": outlines a set of principles that should be used on decision-making.
"Code of Conduct": defines on a more specific way employees' behaviours that are allowed and what are not.
The good part of PMI's code is combining the two; actually, I once read a PwC's paper stating that combining the two codes provides more effective guidance by tying specific rules with the company's values. Saving Changes...
Simona BonghezManaging Partner| Colors in Projects ltdBucharest, Romania
Ethics itself cannot be measured: we cannot measure moral principles. We can state them and expect to be valued and respected. As humans, we are different, we have different perspectives and therefore different understandings of these moral principles. This is why we have translated them in code of conduct which defines the behaviors we expect from those who adhere to the stated moral principles. It is our 'baseline' to which we can compare and measure the way someone value and respect them.
