Module 13

Business Ethics

Stevens Institute of Technology

Charles V. Schaefer School of Engineering
System Development and Operational Effectiveness
Systems Engineering and Engineering Management
Castle Point on Hudson
Hoboken, NJ 07030

Systems Engineering and Engineering Management

Learning Objectives

• At the end of this module, you will be able to:

– Describe the importance of ethics in the Project
Management Profession
– Appreciate the various ethical challenges faced in
the management of a project
– Understand the Project Management ethical code
established for PMI professionals
– Establish a personal code of ethics to be applied
in your own career

Systems Engineering and Engineering Management

1
Ethics defined:

“the
“the principles
principles of
of morality,
morality,including
includingboth
boththe
the
science of the good and the nature of
science of the good and the nature of the the
right.”…
right.”…
“the
“therules
rulesof
ofconduct
conductrecognized
recognizedininrespect
respecttotoaa
particular
particular class
class of
of human
human actions”…
actions”…
The
TheAmerican
AmericanCollege
CollegeDictionary
Dictionary

Systems Engineering and Engineering Management

Case Study: The Smartest Guys in the

Room

Systems Engineering and Engineering Management

2
Case Study: The Smartest Guys in the
Room

Discussion Questions
1. Did Enron have a code of ethics?
2. As a leader, who did more harm, Ken Lay
or Jeff Skilling?
3. Can the traders of the floor be blamed for
any wrong doing or were they victims?
4. How would you describe Sharron Watkins
role?
5. Was Andy Fastow an out-of-control CFO
or a creative genius who was not led?
6. Could this happen at your company?
7. How does this apply to project management?

Systems Engineering and Engineering Management

Business Ethics

"If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?"

- Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

Systems Engineering and Engineering Management