The document discusses the concepts of professional and social responsibility for project managers. It is broken into four categories: responsibility, respect, fairness, and honesty. For each category, it provides examples of behaviors that demonstrate adherence to or violations of that concept from the Project Management Body of Knowledge. It also addresses specific topics like cultural awareness, conflict of interest, integrity, and ethics violations. The overall message is that project managers must act with responsibility, respect, fairness and honesty to clients, teams and stakeholders.

1. PPROFESSIONAL ANDROFESSIONAL AND SSOCIALOCIAL
RRESPONSIBILITYESPONSIBILITY
Hisham Haridy, PMP, PMI-RMPFebruary 2016

2. PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITYPROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Professional and social responsibility is broken down into the following
categories in the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct:
1. Responsibility
2. Respect
3. Fairness3. Fairness
4. Honesty
PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY February 2016

3. 1. Responsibility
Make decision based on the best interests of the company.
Accept assignments you are qualified for.
Protect proprietary information.
Report unethical behavior and violations.
PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITYPROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
2. Respect
Maintain an attitude of mutual cooperation.
Respect cultural differences.
PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY February 2016

4. 3. Fairness
Act impartially without bribery.
Look for and disclose conflict of interest.
Do NOT discriminate.
Do NOT use your position for personal or business gain.
PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITYPROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
4. Honestly
Understand the truth.
Be truthful in all communications.
PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY February 2016

5. Responsibility
Responsibility is our duty to take ownership for the decisions we make or
fail to make, the actions we take or fail to take, and the consequences
that result.
Ownership of Decisions and ActionsOwnership of Decisions and Actions
that result.
1. Make decisions based on the best interests of the
company, rather than your own best Interest.
2. Only accept assignments you are qualified to complete.
3. Protect proprietary information.
4. Report unethical behavior and violations.
PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY February 2016

6. Ensuring Integrity
As a project manager, one of your professional responsibilities is to ensure integrity
of the project management process, the product, and your own personal conduct.
Accepting Assignments
You should always honestly report your qualifications, your experience, and your
past performance of services to potential employers, customers, PMI, and others.
You should not knowingly accept assignments that are beyond your capabilities or
RESPONSIBILITYRESPONSIBILITY
You should not knowingly accept assignments that are beyond your capabilities or
experience.
Laws and Regulations Compliance
You're required to follow all applicable laws and rules and regulations that apply to
your industry, organization, or project. This includes PMI organizational rules and
policies as well.
You should also follow any ethical standards and principles that might govern your
industry or the state or country in which you're working.
PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY February 2016

7. Confidential Information
You agree not to disclose sensitive or confidential information or use it in any way
for personal gain.
Often when you work under contract, you'll be required to sign a nondisclosure
agreement.
Company Data
It's your responsibility to ensure that the proper nondisclosure agreements are
RESPONSIBILITYRESPONSIBILITY
It's your responsibility to ensure that the proper nondisclosure agreements are
signed prior to releasing the data. The procurement department often handles this
function.
Intellectual Property
Intellectual property includes items developed by an organization that have
commercial value but are not tangible and copyrighted material such as books,
software, and artistic works.
Intellectual property is owned by the business or person who created it.
PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY February 2016

8. 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
The Appropriate Treatment of People and ResourcesThe Appropriate Treatment of People and Resources
Resources entrusted to us may include people, money, reputation, the safety of
others, and natural or environmental resources.
An environment of respect engenders trust, confidence, and performance
excellence by fostering mutual cooperation — an environment where diverse
perspectives and views are encouraged and valued.
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9. 1. Maintain an attitude of mutual cooperation
2. Respect cultural differences
3. Engage in good faith negotiations.
4. Be direct in dealing with conflict.
5. Do not use your power or position to influence others for your own benefit.
RESPECTRESPECT
5. Do not use your power or position to influence others for your own benefit.
PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY February 2016

10. Professional Demeanor
Acting in a professional manner is required of most everyone who works in the business world.
Part of acting professionally involves controlling yourself and your reactions in questionable
situations.
As a professional, your concern for the project and the organization should take precedence
over your concern for your own feelings.
As project manager, you have a good deal of influence over your project team members.
RESPECTRESPECT
One of the items on the agenda at the project team kickoff meeting should be a discussion of
where the team members can find a copy of organizational policies regarding conflict of
interest, cultural diversity, standards and regulations, and customer service and standards of
performance.
When you see project team members acting out of turn or with less‐than‐desirable customer
service attitudes, coach and influence those team members to conform to the standards of
conduct expected by you and your organization. Your team members represent you and the
project. As such, they should act professionally.
PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY February 2016

11. Reporting Ethics Violations
As a PMP, one of the responsibilities that falls into this category is your responsibility to report
violations of the PMP code of conduct.
To maintain integrity of the profession, PMPs must adhere to the code of conduct that makes all
of us accountable to each other.
Cultural Awareness
Don't expect others to conform to your way of doing things, especially when you're in their
country.
Culture Shock
One of the ways you can avoid culture shock is to read about the country you're going to work
RESPECTRESPECT
One of the ways you can avoid culture shock is to read about the country you're going to work
in before getting there.
Diversity Training
The best way to ensure that cultural or ethical differences do not hinder your project is to
provide training for all team members.
Diversity training makes people aware of differences between cultures and ethnic groups, and it
helps them to gain respect and trust for those on their team.
Note
Remember that project objectives are why you are all together in the first place. Keeping the
team focused on the objectives cuts across cultural boundaries and will help everyone
concentrate on the project and tasks at hand rather than each other.
PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY February 2016

12. Respecting Your Neighbors
Note
Spend time building relationships with others. Once an atmosphere of mutual trust and
cooperation is established, all aspects of project planning and management—including
negotiating and problem solving—are much easier to navigate.
Perceiving Experiences
Keep this in mind when it appears that a misunderstanding has occurred or that someone
you're working with didn't respond as you expected. This is especially true when you're working
RESPECTRESPECT
you're working with didn't respond as you expected. This is especially true when you're working
with someone from another country. Always give others the benefit of the doubt and ask for
clarification if you think there is a problem. Put your feelings in check temporarily, and
remember that what you think the other person means is not necessarily as it appears.
PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY February 2016

13. Fairness
Fairness is our duty to make decisions and act impartially and objectively.
Our conduct must be free from competing self interest, prejudice, and
favoritism.”
Being Objective and Making Impartial DecisionsBeing Objective and Making Impartial Decisions
1. Act impartially without bribery.
2. Continuously look for conflicts of interest and disclose them
3. Do not discriminate against others
4. Do not use your position for personal or business gain
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14. Conflict of Interest
The PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct discusses your responsibility to report to the
stakeholders, customers, or others any actions or circumstances that could be construed as
a conflict of interest.
Associations and Affiliations
Conflicts of interest might include your associations or affiliations.
Vendor Gifts
Some professionals work in situations where they are not allowed to accept gifts in excess of
FAIRNESSFAIRNESS
Some professionals work in situations where they are not allowed to accept gifts in excess of
certain dollar amounts.
It's your responsibility to know whether a policy exists that forbids you from accepting these
gifts.
It's also your responsibility to inform the vendor if they've gone over the limit and you are
unable to accept the gift.
Don't accept gifts that might be construed as a conflict of interest.
Stakeholder Influence
Make certain you are not putting your own personal interests above the interests of the project
when you're dealing with powerful stakeholders.
PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY February 2016

15. Honesty
Honesty is our duty to understand the truth and act in a truthful manner
both in our communications and in our conduct.
Understanding the Truth and Taking Action Based on TruthUnderstanding the Truth and Taking Action Based on Truth
1. Try to understand the truth.
2. Be truthful in the communications, and create an environment where others tell
the truth.
PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY February 2016

16. Personal Gain
Honesty involves not only information regarding your own background and experience, but
information regarding the project circumstances as well.
Personal gain should never be a factor in any project decision.
Truthful Reporting
As a project manager, you are responsible for truthfully reporting all information in your
possession to stakeholders, customers, the project sponsor, and the public when required.
Always be up front regarding the project's progress.
HONESTLYHONESTLY
Always be up front regarding the project's progress.
Note
You probably remember something your mother always told you: Actions speak louder than
words. Always remember that you lead by example. Your team members are watching. If you
are driven by high personal ethics and a strong desire for providing excellent customer service,
those who work for you will likely follow your lead.
PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY February 2016

17. Top Ten Ethical Pitfalls
1. Sacrificing quality to cut costs. This is a very common mistake: The customer or the performing
organization tries to cut costs, but then the deliverables lack their intended quality.
2. Going along with a customer's request when you know it's not best for the project.
3. Not standing up for what you believe is the right decision.
4. Going along with groupthink to avoid making waves.
5. Contracting to a seller that is not the most qualified because you have an ulterior motive.
6. Looking the other way and not speaking up when you see wrongdoing because a higher-up is6. Looking the other way and not speaking up when you see wrongdoing because a higher-up is
the one behaving unethically, and you think you need to go along to keep your job.
7. Asking staff to do extra free work.
8. Pressuring team members to sign petitions, support causes, or donate money to your favorite
charities—and making them feel as if they have no choice.
9. Showing favoritism toward certain team members based on personal friendships or other non-
merit-based reasons.
10. Lying by omission and dealing in bad faith.
PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY February 2016

18. Refreshments
Q1: A major negotiation with a potential subcontractor is scheduled for tomorrow when you
discover there is a good chance the project will be cancelled. What should you do?
A. Do not spend too much time preparing for the negotiations.
B. Cut the negotiations short.
C. Only negotiate major items.
D. Postpone the negotiations.
Q2: You have just discovered an error in the implementation plan that will prevent you from
meeting a milestone date. The BEST thing you can do is:
A. Develop options to meet the milestone date.
B. Change the milestone date.
C. Remove any discussion about due dates in the project status report.
D. Educate the team about the need to meet milestone dates.
PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY February 2016

19. Refreshments
Q3: Your employee is three days late with a report. She walks into a meeting where the
report is to be discussed and hands you a copy five minutes before the topic is to be
discussed. You notice some serious errors in the report. How could this have been prevented?
A. Require periodic updates from the employee.
B. Coach and mentor the employee.
C. Make sure the employee was competent to do the work.C. Make sure the employee was competent to do the work.
D. Cancel the meeting earlier because you did not have a chance to review the report.
PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY February 2016

20. Refreshments
Q4: A certified PMP is contacted by PMI and asked to provide information regarding another
project manager who has been reported to be involved in unethical activities. The PMP-
certified project manager knows his information would support the accusations and the other
project manager in question is a friend. He decides that the best thing to do would be to not
respond, and therefore neither confirm nor deny the accusations. Would this be the right thing
to do?
A. Yes. It would be a safe thing to do to just ignore the request and stay out of it.A. Yes. It would be a safe thing to do to just ignore the request and stay out of it.
B. No. If he knows something, he is required by the Code of Ethics and Professional
Conduct to cooperate.
C. No. It would be better to deny the charges against his friend to maintain the
relationship.
D. Yes. It is expected that project managers will support each other in the field against
outsiders.
PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY February 2016

21. Refreshments
Q5: You are finalizing the monthly project status report due now to your manager when you
discover that several project team members are not reporting actual hours spent on project
activities. This results in skewed project statistics. What is the MOST appropriate action to be
taken?
A. Discuss the impacts of these actions with team members.
B. Report the team members' actions to their functional managers.B. Report the team members' actions to their functional managers.
C. Continue reporting information as presented to you.
D. Provide accurate and truthful representations in all project reports.
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22. 1. A guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) Fifth Edition.
2. Project Management Journal. The peer-refereed academic and research publication of PMI.
3. Formal web site for Project Management Institute www.PMI.org (eReaders and reference) An
exclusive PMI member benefit, eReads & Reference provides online access to 250 complete and unabridged
books from PMI and other leading publishers. Topics include project management, leadership, teams, cross-
cultural business, knowledge management and more.
4. Project Management A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling. Eighth
edition, Harold kerzner, Ph. D.
REFERENCESREFERENCES
edition, Harold kerzner, Ph. D.
5. PMP Exam Preparation, RITA’s Course in abook for passing the PMP Exam, Sixth Edition. Rita Mulcahy,
PMP.
6. Project Management Professional Study Guide, Fifth Edition, Kim Heldman.
7. The Project Management Answer Book, Jeff Furman
8. PMP Exam Prep: Questions, Answers, & Explanations, Christopher Scordo.
9. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia web site (www.wikipedia.org).
10. Planning Planet web site (www.planningplanet.com).
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23. THANK YOU
PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY February 2016