Professional ethics and conduct
Professional ethics and conduct
This domain tests ethical judgement, integrity and accountability expected of a project professional.
Core rules
- Act with integrity, objectivity, confidentiality, competence and fairness; avoid conflicts of interest or disclose them promptly.
- Do not misrepresent qualifications, progress, costs or risks; report accurately even when uncomfortable.
- Protect confidential information; share only with authorised parties.
- Refuse gifts or hospitality that could influence decisions; follow organisational policy.
- Raise concerns through appropriate channels; whistleblowing protections apply to serious wrongdoing.
- Consider sustainability and impacts on communities and future users.
Worked example
A supplier offers a project manager tickets to a major sporting event during tender evaluation. The project manager declines and records the offer in the conflicts register. Reasoning: accepting could create an obligation and undermine objectivity; disclosure protects both the project manager and the procurement process.
Traps
- Treating ethics as only blatant fraud; subtle bias and favouritism also matter.
- Promising confidentiality when disclosure is legally required.
- Signing off progress that is not evidenced.
- Ignoring conflicts involving family or former employers.
- Using 'commercial pressure' to justify misleading reporting.