--- title: "Code of ethics" subject: "ICT Project Management" chapter: 15 key: "semester_7/ict_project_management:code-of-ethics" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/ict_project_management/code-of-ethics site: BCT Engineering --- # Code of ethics ICT Project Management · Chapter 15: Balanced scorecard and ICT project management - Asked in: year not given - Video: [PMP - Lecture 5-PMI code of ethics and Social Responsibility](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UegN-PmuhJY) — ICT Trainings Institute - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/ict_project_management/code-of-ethics - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/ict_project_management/chapter-15 ## Question Explain the code of ethics in project management. ## Short answer A code of ethics in project management, like PMI’s, sets principles of responsibility, respect, fairness, and honesty to guide professional conduct. It ensures trustworthy decisions, prevents corruption, and upholds integrity in reporting, conflict of interest, and confidentiality. ## Answer A **code of ethics** is a set of principles and standards of conduct that guide the professional behaviour of project managers and team members. It helps them make decisions that are honest, fair and responsible. PMI's **Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct** applies to all PMI members and certified practitioners (PMP). #### Four core values (PMI) 1. **Responsibility**: take ownership of decisions and actions, follow laws, protect confidential information, keep commitments, admit mistakes. 2. **Respect**: treat others with courtesy and dignity, respect cultural differences, listen, and avoid discrimination and harassment. 3. **Fairness**: make decisions impartially and objectively, avoid conflict of interest, give equal opportunity, and avoid favouritism. 4. **Honesty**: be truthful in communication and conduct, report accurately, no deception, plagiarism or false claims. Each value has **aspirational standards** (the ideal behaviour) and **mandatory standards** (firm requirements). #### Typical expectations - No bribery or accepting gifts that influence decisions. - Disclose conflicts of interest. - Respect intellectual property and licences. - Report violations and illegal conduct. - Provide accurate project status; do not hide delays. - Maintain professional competence. - Protect privacy and data. #### Importance - Builds trust of clients, sponsors and team. - Prevents corruption, fraud and legal problems. - Protects the reputation of the profession and the organisation. - Guides actions in ethical dilemmas. #### In IT context Data confidentiality, software piracy, honesty in estimates, accurate test reports, security and user privacy. Related codes: ACM and IEEE codes for software engineers, and in Nepal the Nepal Engineering Council Code of Conduct for engineers. ```text Dilemma -> Check laws/code -> Consider stakeholders -> Decide ethically -> Document and report ``` **Example:** A manager learns that a vendor's gift offer came just before bid evaluation. According to the code, the manager declines, discloses and keeps the evaluation fair. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. Which are the four core values of the PMI Code of Ethics? A. Integrity, Loyalty, Profit, Speed B. Responsibility, Respect, Fairness, Honesty C. Quality, Cost, Time, Scope D. Honesty, Secrecy, Obedience, Efficiency Answer: B. PMI's code is built on Responsibility, Respect, Fairness and Honesty. (Key point: Four core values) 2. A project manager must avoid conflicts of interest and favouritism. Which value does this mainly reflect? A. Responsibility B. Respect C. Fairness D. Honesty Answer: C. Fairness means impartial, objective decisions, disclosing conflicts of interest and avoiding favouritism. (Key point: Fairness value) 3. What is the difference between aspirational and mandatory standards? A. Aspirational are firm requirements; mandatory are ideals B. Aspirational describe ideal behaviour; mandatory are firm requirements C. Both are optional D. Aspirational apply only to IT; mandatory apply to civil projects Answer: B. Aspirational standards are the ideal conduct; mandatory standards are firm requirements. (Key point: Aspirational vs mandatory standards) 4. A vendor offers a gift just before bid evaluation. According to the code, what should the manager do? A. Accept it quietly if it is small B. Accept it and favour the vendor C. Decline, disclose it and keep the evaluation fair D. Ignore it and say nothing Answer: C. Gifts that may influence decisions must be refused and disclosed so that the evaluation stays fair. (Key point: Handling a vendor gift) ## Related in ICT Project Management - [Project management body of knowledge](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Adefine-pmbok) — ICT Project Management, chapter 2 - [Project management knowledge areas](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Apm-knowledge-areas) — ICT Project Management, chapter 2 - [General management skills and project management](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Ageneral-management-skill) — ICT Project Management, chapter 2 - [Project portfolio management](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aportfolio-management) — ICT Project Management, chapter 3 - [Define project management](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Adefine-project-management) — ICT Project Management, chapter 4 - [Advantages of project management](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aadvantages-project-management) — ICT Project Management, chapter 4 ## Related in other subjects - [Ethics and code of ethics for engineers](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fengineering_professional_practice%3Acode-of-ethics-engineers) — Engineering Professional Practice, chapter 2, asked 2× - [Profession, code of ethics, tort and liability](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fengineering_professional_practice%3Aprofession-code-ethics-tort) — Engineering Professional Practice, chapter 2 - [Ethics and need for code of conduct](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fengineering_professional_practice%3Aethics-why-code-of-conduct) — Engineering Professional Practice, chapter 2 - [Function of project management in Nepal](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Acpm-function-nepal) — Construction Management, chapter 1