Framework for Ethical Decision Making

1 Recognize
Recognize when your decisions have
ethical implications.

2 Gather
Gather relevent information
and the identify facts.

3 Consider
Consider the alternatives in order
to develop potential solutions.

4
Apply
Apply ethical principles to each
of the solutions.

5
Decide & Implement
Decide on which solution
to implement.

6
Reflect
Reflect on the outcome of
your decision.
 6 Steps for Ethical Decision Making
Ethical decision making refers to the process of identifying,
evaluating, and choosing a solution to a challenging situation,
that is consistent with ethical principles.

Decision Making Frameworks can assist and individual make

ethical decision by breaking down the process into manageable
steps. The framework below contains six steps including
recognize, gather, consider, apply, decide, and reflect.

1 Recognize
Questions to ask yourself to help recognize an ethical dilemma.

1. Is it legal?
2. Is it fair to all parties?
3. How does it make me feel (the “Gut” test)?
4. Will I be embarrassed if my actions are published in print or on
social media?
5. Will I be ashamed to tell my family, friends, co-workers, or boss?

2 Gather
Questions to ask yourself to help identify relevant facts.

1. Is it legal?
2. Is it fair to all parties?
3. How does it make me feel (the “Gut” test)?
4. Will I be embarrassed if my actions are published in print or on
social media?
5. Will I be ashamed to tell my family, friends, co-workers, or boss?

3 Consider
Questions to ask yourself to help identify potential solutions.

1. Is there a colleague or mentor that I could discuss the issue with?

2. What have people done in the past when presented with this type of
situation?
3. Where do the win-win versus win-lose opportunities exist?
4. Can the conflict be resolved through compromise or negotiation?
 4 Apply
Questions to ask yourself to help identify which solution is the most ethical

Utilitarian or • Which option will produce the greatest good with the least harm for

Ethical Approaches
Interest-Based the greatest number of people?
Approach
• Which course of action best represents the rights of the primary
Rights stakeholders?
Approach

• Which course of action treats people fairly and does not show
Fairness or Justice favoritism or discrimination?
Rule Approach • Are the rules being applied equally to everyone?

Common Good or • Will the action taken be good for ourselves, fulfill the needs of the
Duty to Others community, and advance the common good of society?
Approach
• Which values are most important in this situation?
Virtue
• Which choice represents the kind of person I want to be?
Approach

• Which alternative represents how you would like to be treated if the

Care Based situation was reversed?
Approach • Are you doing unto others as you would have them do unto you?

5 Decide & Implement

Questions to ask yourself to help verify you are ready to implement your solution.

1. Am I comfortable with the decision and ready to act, or does my decision evoke doubt?
2. Am I willing to accept responsibility for the decision?
3. Looking back, will this decision seem like a good idea a year from now?
4. Does the decision put me in a calm and unstressed state of mind?
5. How can my decision be implemented with the greatest care and attention to the
concerns of the stakeholders?

6 Reflect
Questions to ask yourself to help reflect on the effectiveness of your solution.

1. How did my decision turn out for the primary stakeholders?

2. What have I learned from this specific situation?
3. If I confront a similar dilemma in the future, would I recommend a different
course of action?
4. Am I prepared to revise my decision if new information comes to light or if
circumstances change?