Code of Ethics for the Project Manager

The code of ethics for project managers contains four central values.  They are: Responsibility, Respect, Fairness, and Honesty.  These values are to be upheld and maintained by any practitioner who operates under the name of the PMI’s name, including members, non-members with certification, individuals pursuing their certification, as well as those who are volunteering on behalf of PMI.  The code of ethics has been evolving since the inception of the Project Management Institute in the 1980’s.  The current code of ethics has been in effect since 2006 (Code of ethics, 2017).
Each of the central values is defined and explained, within the code of ethics to eliminate any ambiguity.  There are several points that reflect an “aspirational standard” as well as key points that encompass the “mandatory standards.”  The aspirational points are ideals that are more ambiguous and not easily measured.  Whereas the mandatory points address issues of behavior and character within the structure.
The values of responsibility, respect, fairness, and honesty are very much in line with acceptable and expected societal norms.  But without putting them into actual words and published print, they cannot be enforced.  The code of ethics that the PMI have drafted provide a strong platform from which all who act under the name of PMI can operate.
The PMI has made a strong case for creating this code of ethics as the field of Project Management has grown globally, “In the business world, ethics scandals have caused the downfall of global corporations and non-profits, causing public outrage and sparking increased government regulations. Globalization has brought economies closer together but has caused a realization that our practice of ethics may differ from culture to culture. The rapid, continuing pace of technological change has provided new opportunities, but has also introduced new challenges, including new ethical dilemmas” (Code of ethics, 2017).  Any businesses who hire an individual with a membership and the certification from this institution can reasonably expect that the project manager will uphold these character traits.


Reference

Code of ethics & professional conduct. (2017). Project Management Institute. Retrieved from https://www.pmi.org/about/ethics/code

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