Chapter 4 establishes standards of fairness and aspires to transparency in decision-making. Section 4.3 states:
As practitioners in the global project management community, we require the following of ourselves and our fellow practitioners:
Conflict of Interest Situations
4.3.1 We proactively and fully disclose any real or potential conflicts of interest to the appropriate stakeholders.
4.3.2 When we realize that we have a real or potential conflict of interest, we refrain from engaging in the decisionmaking process or otherwise attempting to influence outcomes, unless or until: we have made full disclosure to the affected stakeholders; we have an approved mitigation plan; and we have obtained the consent of the
stakeholders to proceed. Saving Changes...
Paul PelletierProject management key note speaker, author, corporate lawyer, and executive| Paul Pelletier Consulting Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Conflicts of interest in the world of project management come up regularly but they are often poorly handled because they aren't always easy to identify early. We sometimes forget to consider what others might think about a potential COI. One of the most important aspects of COIs is for PMs to proactively identify and disclose both real or perceived COIs.
I use what I call the "COI smell test" - in asking whether there might be a perceived or real COI, I ask myself - "if this was reported in the paper, would I be comfortable?" If I feel even a tweak of anxiety, I disclose the potential COI to the relevant stakeholders to consider what to do. I step away from the matter until I have the stakeholders' approved plan and instructions for moving forward. Saving Changes...
Good points Paul, identifying the COIs is difficult, but often, once they are identified, the more challenging aspect for some is to act.I agree the smell test is a good guiding principle, but PMs have to be wiling to act with courage when faced with difficult decisions that could even place a burden on them. Saving Changes...
Paul, I like your "COI smell test", then it is to the PM to take action.
Gary, you are right that at time decision will be difficult, the organization culture can be facilitating the process. Some organization will reward those decision, other will penalize the PM. Saving Changes...
Amany NuseibehSpeaker, Global Leader | Optimal ConsultingSydney, Nsw, Australia
In Australia, the COI smell test stated by Paul is called the "Pub Test". Though not every Pub Test might have its legal backing, the common sense and what's acceptable or not is referred to as the "Pub Test". Saving Changes...
Michael ZiyadehContracts Negotiator Sr. | Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin CompanyBranford, Ct, United States
Proposals and contracts/agreements can be written in such a manner as to make both the buyer and seller responsible for addressing COI's . I recommend this approach. When both parties are contractually bound by this agreement it makes interpreting/exercising the clause easier. Saving Changes...
Indeed, PMI has put some effort into the subject of Conflicts of Interest. In addition to the already mentioned section in the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, PMI has a Conflict Resolution Program document that is available to volunteer leaders on an internal PMI Community Leadership site. Also available on that internal site is the recently released Ethics Toolkit containing a half-dozen ethics tools for volunteer PMI leaders; one of these tools is a Chapter Ethics Policy Guide. Saving Changes...
Lily MurariuResearch Council Officer Program Advisor| National Research Council CanadaCantley, Quebec, Canada
Since 2002 PMI has developed a Policy on Conflict of Interest (http://www.pmi.org/-/media/pmi/documents/p...rest-policy.pdf ) that applies to (PMI) Stakeholders (PMI volunteers, PMI staff, etc.).
The policy applies to staff and volunteers involved in "PMI activities, that are directly or indirectly related to their personal or professional business and financial interests which could be considered a conflict of interest".
Also, all PMI member and non-members, volunteers and staff are required to complete accurately, on an annual basis, the PMI Conflict of Interest(COI) questionnaire (http://www.pmi.org/-/media/pmi/documents/p...aire.pdf?la=en) Saving Changes...
Excellent inputs by all.No standards related to COI will assist and guide the parties to mitigate /resolve without the collaborative will and intent to equitably address and resolve impending issues . Saving Changes...
