Ethical Issues in Project Management: A Case Study Analysis

Running head: PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Project Management
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author Note:

2
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Identify the ethical issues that arise in this case study.
Ethics is one of the most important element in any different kinds of the business
activities. The presence of proper ethics within the business is certainly one of the most
needed element. The maintenance of the ethical standards by the management of the business
organizations helps in the creation of loyalty and trust. The loyalty and trust of the people can
help in the success of the business in a proper manner. In the given case study, a case of a
terrible form of ethical violations by the management of a business organization has been
highlighted. Though there has been no negative impacts of the unethical practice
implemented by the business organization, there has been a lot of raised questions in the
following regards. Occidental engineering has been provided a contract by the government to
develop a technologically advanced form of air traffic management system to mitigate any
form of risks and accidents in the aviation sector.
The project code named safe skies has been able to meet all the deadlines and has also
been a success for the company. However, a thorough check-up by the software expert of the
organization revealed a major setback for the software as too much overload one the system
could lead to the total disappearance of a single aircraft from the system. The aircraft which
will be untraceable by any means could lead to a huge accident in such a case. Though the
problem behind its cause has been identified, the presence of a less time for the deadline and
the fear of government sanctions forced the company to present the prototype. However, the
testing of the software on relatively small airport helped the company to totally avoid the
failure of the system. Considering the ethical elements of the business the delivery was not
justified as it was a breach of agreement and can easily lead to a major danger.

3
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Identify the potential consequences to the stakeholders of accepting this aggressive bid
and risks involved in this project.
The avoidance of the ethical principles of the business can lead to dangerous
consequences. The case here clearly highlights the violation of the ethical principles which
could have led to a great catastrophe. The aggressive bid was clearly made by the company to
make up for the damage caused by the financial losses it has been suffering for some time.
The absence of the defence deals has forced the company to submit the bid at the lowest
amount which was one of the strategies of the management in order to win the contract. The
employees of the company walked day and night for the creation of the new technology.
However, the major fault in the system was discovered just before the delivery. The fear of
missing the deadline and the financial stress of the company was the major reason behind the
problem.
The management of the company was warned about the problems of the system, but
still thy proceeded with the delivery in order to ensure the success of the business
organization. The other reason behind the delivery was that the management wanted to
improve their financial stress with the commercial delivery of the system and was also in fear
that the failure of the delivery could lead to future bans. The most important question that
arises was the safety of the system. The system which was code named safe skies was a big
failure in the beginning as it was clearly inviting a major catastrophe in the skies. The
unethical behaviour of the company could have led to a major disaster.