Hosts Merv Jersak and Tim Jerome explore the vital role of ethics and mentorship in project management. They offer actionable tips for integrating ethical practices, such as leading by example, understanding PMI's Code of Ethics, and establishing clear communication and anonymous reporting systems. The discussion covers the importance of mentorship, periodic ethics training, and using ethical performance metrics.

Main Take-Aways

Practical tips, tools, and techniques for conducting your projects with attention to ethics and ethical behavior:

1)     know your ethics and values in advance of any decision you may be faced with

2)     set the example

3)     adhere to PMI’s code of Ethics

4)     address team members’ concerns about whistleblowing

5)     foster a speak-up culture

6)     have a personal questionnaire to guide you in whether you should raise an ethical concern

7)     document well

8)     seek advice and mentorship

9)     consider establishing an anonymous reporting system

10)  plan ahead for how to deal with ethical issues should they arise

11)  build ethics processes into your project charters

12)  train team members on ethical considerations

13)  conduct periodic project audits to include ethical considerations

Show Notes

Today’s Project Managers Coffee Chat: Tips, Tools, and Techniques for Maintaining an Ethical Project Environment

01:31 Tim provides the first tip by asking whether we know our ethics and values in advance.

02:05 Merv piggybacks on this idea by recommending that you set the example, the standard. Be consistent in your actions.

02:34 Merv goes on to stress the importance of adhering to Project Management’s Code of Ethics and ethical decision-making framework. He describes the five As of the framework.

04:11 Tim raises the concern many practitioners have about raising ethical concerns because of potential repercussions to their careers. Merv offers that fostering a speak-up culture goes a long way to allay these concerns.

07:36 Merv provides a four-part internal questionnaire when faced with the dilemma of whether to raise ethical concerns.

08:29 Tim recommends that you keep good documentation to support the reporting of ethical concerns.

10:18 Tim also recommends that you seek ethical advice and mentorship from experienced advisors.

11:22 Merv considers the value of an anonymous reporting system to capture ethical concerns on the project to create a safe reporting environment.

13:18 Tim advises you to plan ahead for how you will act/react in case an ethical consideration is raised on your project. Merv add that you should have communication protocols in place to address these should they arise.

14:31 Merv provides solid process recommendations to build ethics considerations into the project/team charters and to provide periodic ethics training to the whole team.

16:06 Merv and Tim contemplate whether adherence to ethical standards could be monitored using quantitative methods.

17:55 Merv describes one of his most effective techniques, that of formal ethical audits conducted by an independent team of experienced practitioners.T