Professional Responsibility

PMI code of conduct applies to: All PMI members and non members who are PMP, apply for a certification, PMI volunteer.

Aspirational: Aspirational standards describe the conduct that PMI strive to hold as practitioners. conducting ourselves in accordance with these is an expectation that we have of ourselves as professionals—it is not optional .

Mandatory: The mandatory standards establish firm requirements, and in some cases, limit or prohibit practitioner behavior. Practitioners who do not conduct themselves in accordance with these standards will be subject to disciplinary procedures before PMI’s Ethics Review Committee


4 Values support PMI code of Ethics:

1. Responsibility
2. Respect
3. Fairness
4. Honesty


Responsibility:

Aspirational:

  • We make decisions and take actions based on the best interests of society, public safety, and the environment.
  • We accept only those assignments that are consistent with our background, experience, skills, and qualifications.
  • We fulfill the commitments that we undertake – we do what we say we will do.
  • When we make errors or omissions, we take ownership and make corrections promptly.
  • When we discover errors or omissions caused by others, we communicate them to the appropriate body as soon they are discovered.
  • We accept accountability for any issues resulting from our errors or omissions and any resulting consequences.
  • We protect proprietary or confidential information that has been entrusted to us.
Comment: Where developmental or stretch assignments are being considered, we ensure that key stakeholders receive timely and complete information regarding the gaps in our qualifications so that they may make informed decisions regarding our suitability for a particular assignment.
In the case of a contracting arrangement, we only bid on work that our organization is qualified to perform and we assign only qualified individuals to perform the work.


Mandatory:

  • Regulations and Legal Requirements -We inform ourselves and uphold the policies, rules, regulations and laws that govern our work, professional, and volunteer activities.
  • We report unethical or illegal conduct to appropriate management and, if necessary, to those affected by the conduct.

  • We do not engage in any illegal behavior, including but not limited to: theft, fraud, corruption, embezzlement, or bribery. 

  • Further, we do not take or abuse the property of others, including intellectual property, nor do we engage in slander or libel. In focus groups conducted with practitioners around the globe, these types of illegal behaviors were mentioned as being problematic.As practitioners and representatives of our profession, we do not condone or assist others in engaging in illegal behavior. We report any illegal or unethical conduct. Reporting is not easy and we recognize that it may have negative consequences. Since recent corporate scandals, many organizations have adopted policies to protect employees who reveal the truth about illegal or unethical activities. Some governments have also adopted legislation to protect employees who come forward with the truth.

Ethics Complaints

  • We bring violations of this Code to the attention of the appropriate body for resolution. 

  • We only file ethics complaints when they are substantiated by facts. 

  • Further, we pursue disciplinary action against individuals who knowingly make false allegations against others. 

  • We pursue disciplinary action against an individual who retaliates against a person raising ethics concerns.

Respect:
Respect is our duty to show a high regard for ourselves, others, and the resources entrusted to us. Resources entrusted to us may include people, money, reputation, the safety of others, and natural or environmental resources

Aspirational:

  • We inform ourselves about the norms and customs of others and avoid engaging in behaviors they might consider disrespectful. 

  • We listen to others’ points of view, seeking to understand them. 

  • We approach directly those persons with whom we have a conflict or disagreement. 

  • We conduct ourselves in a professional manner, even when it is not reciprocated.

Comment: An implication of these provisions is that we avoid engaging in gossip and avoid making negative remarks to undermine another person’s reputation. We also have a duty under this Code to confront others who engage in these types of behaviors.

Mandatory:

  • We negotiate in good faith. 

  • We do not exercise the power of our expertise or position to influence the decisions or actions of others in order to benefit personally at their expense. 

  • We do not act in an abusive manner toward others. 

  • We respect the property rights of others. 


Fairness:

Aspirational:

  • We demonstrate transparency in our decision-making process. 

  • We constantly reexamine our impartiality and objectivity, taking corrective action as appropriate.
Comment: Research with practitioners indicated that the subject of conflicts of interest is one of the most challenging faced by our profession.

  • We as practitioners must proactively search for potential conflicts and help each other by highlighting each other’s potential conflicts of interest and insisting that they be resolved. 

  • We provide equal access to information to those who are authorized to have that information.

  • We make opportunities equally available to qualified candidates.

Comment: An implication of these provisions is, in the case of a contracting arrangement, we provide equal access to information during the bidding process.


Mandatory:

Conflict of Interest Situation:

  • We proactively and fully disclose any real or potential conflicts of interest to the appropriate stakeholders.

  • When we realize that we have a real or potential conflict of interest, we refrain from engaging in the decision-making 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.
Comment: A conflict of interest occurs when we are in a position to influence decisions or other outcomes on behalf of one party when such decisions or outcomes could affect one or more other parties with which we have competing loyalties. For example, when we are acting as an employee, we have a duty of loyalty to our employer. When we are acting as a PMI volunteer, we have a duty of loyalty to the Project Management Institute. We must recognize these divergent interests and refrain from influencing decisions when we have a conflict of interest.
Further, even if we believe that we can set aside our divided loyalties and make decisions impartially, we treat the appearance of a conflict of interest as a conflict of interest and follow the provisions described in the Code.

Favoritism and Discrimination

  • We do not hire or fire, reward or punish, or award or deny contracts based on personal considerations, including but not limited to, favoritism, nepotism, or bribery. 

  • We do not discriminate against others based on, but not limited to, gender, race, age, religion, disability, nationality, or sexual orientation.

  • We apply the rules of the organization (employer, Project Management Institute, or other group) without favoritism or prejudice.


Honesty:

Honesty is our duty to understand the truth and act in a truthful manner both in our communications and in our conduct.

Aspirational:

  • We earnestly seek to understand the truth. 

  • We are truthful in our communications and in our conduct. 

  • We provide accurate information in a timely manner.

Comment: An implication of these provisions is that we take appropriate steps to ensure that the information we are basing our decisions upon or providing to others is accurate, reliable, and timely.

This includes having the courage to share bad news even when it may be poorly received. Also, when outcomes are negative, we avoid burying information or shifting blame to others. When outcomes are positive, we avoid taking credit for the achievements of others. These provisions reinforce our commitment to be both honest and responsible.

  • We make commitments and promises, implied or explicit, in good faith.

  • We strive to create an environment in which others feel safe to tell the truth.

Mandatory:

  • We do not engage in or condone behavior that is designed to deceive others, including but not limited to, making misleading or false statements, stating half-truths, providing information out of context or withholding information that, if known, would render our statements as misleading or incomplete. 

  • We do not engage in dishonest behavior with the intention of personal gain or at the expense of another.

Comment: The aspirational standards exhort us to be truthful. Half-truths and non-disclosures intended to mislead stakeholders are as unprofessional as affirmatively making misrepresentations. We develop credibility by providing complete and accurate information.

No comments: