Deontological Ethics in Software Development

This assignment involves applying the Doing Ethics Technique to analyze a scenario where a junior developer overrides his position hierarchy by directly dealing with a client. The implications of this action are assessed, and potential solutions are proposed. The assignment requires the application of deontological ethics theory to ensure ethical operations in a firm.

Running head: DOING ETHICS TECHNIQUE 0
Topics in Information Technology
Ethics
Doing Ethics Technique

DOING ETHICS TECHNIQUE 1
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Doing Ethics Technique - Analysis............................................................................................2
What is going on?...................................................................................................................2
What are the facts?.................................................................................................................2
What are the issues?...............................................................................................................2
Who is affected?.....................................................................................................................2
What are the ethical issues and implications?........................................................................3
What can be done about it?....................................................................................................3
What options are there?..........................................................................................................4
Which option is best and why?..............................................................................................4
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................4
References..................................................................................................................................5

DOING ETHICS TECHNIQUE 2
Introduction
The aim of this paper is to implement “Doing ethics technique (DET)” for analysing
the ethical issues provided in Video 2 (Development Methodology) (Al-Saggaf, 2016). The
Doing ethics technique focuses on analysing and assessing ethical and non-ethical issues
relating to a particular case (Al-Saggaf & Burmeister, 2012). A template of DET will be used
in the paper for identifying ethical issues relating to ICT and assessing the implications of
such ethical problems. Further, ethical solutions will be provided for addressing such issues
by applying ethical theories.
Doing Ethics Technique - Analysis
What is going on?
A junior developer receives a call from the client regarding making some changes to
the software. He ensures the client that the company can make such changes and provide
them software before the deadline. The junior developer confirms changes to the client
without taking prior permission from the project manager.
What are the facts?
 A junior developer directly receives a call from the client regarding changes in the
software.
 He confirmed such changes and ensured the client that the corporation will deliver the
software with the change within the given deadline.
 The junior developer did not ask or take permission from the project manager before
confirming the changes to the client.
What are the issues?
 The junior developer overrides the position hierarchy by directly taking the call of the
client which can negatively affect a number of parties involved (Audi, 2009).
 The junior developer confirms the client that the company will make new changes to
the software without consulting them with the project manager.
 The junior developer overrides his authority by directly dealing with the client and
making changes in their service contract.

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Who is affected?
Junior Developer
By directly dealing with the client, the junior developer has overridden the position
hierarchy which can negatively affect his job. He also breached his responsibilities by
confirming the client that the company will make changes to the software before consulting
with the project manager.
The Client
The client will be disappointed and might face serious financial consequences if the
company is not able to deliver the software with changes by the deadline.
Project Manager
It is the responsibility of project manager to deal with the client and ensure that the
company is delivering the software based on the requirement of the client. The changes
confirm by the junior developer can result in increasing issues for the project manager since
he has to ensure that the software is developed within the set budget and it is delivered within
the deadline.
The Company
Based on the confirmation made by the junior developer, if the company is not able to
deliver the software to the client by the deadline they might lose their contract. The client will
be disappointed, and it will negatively affect the future contract of the corporation as well.
What are the ethical issues and implications?
In order to ensure ethical operations in a firm, it is necessary that employees follow
the code of conduct and maintain the integrity of hierarchical authority. The deontological
ethics theory judges the morality or ethics of an action based on rules rather than its
consequences (Crossan, Mazutis & Seijts, 2013). According to this theory, actions taken by
the junior developer is wrong. The junior developer confirmed to the client that he will make
new changes to the software without consulting with the project manager. He failed to fulfil
his duties by overriding the position hierarchy (Paquette, Sommerfeldt & Kent, 2015).
Therefore, his actions are ethically incorrect.

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What can be done about it?
There are different ways in which the project manager can handle this situation. He
can realise the junior developer his mistake and deal with the client himself. He can identify
whether it is possible to implement new changes within time and resources allocated to the
firm, or he can call the client and accept the mistake of the junior developer. In order to
implement such changes, it is necessary that project manager consult them with project
director.
What options are there?
 Project manager can request the junior developer to forward such calls to him and talk
with the client regarding changes to ensure that they can be completed without
extending the budget and the deadline.
 Project manager can scream at the developer and abuse him which might discourage
them from working in the organisation.
 Project manager can encourage the behaviour of developer which might result in
creating problems for the company because it might not be possible to deliver the
software with new changes to the client within provided budget and deadline.
Which option is best and why?
The best option is that project manager request junior development to make sure that
in the future he forwards such calls to him. It will make him realise the position hierarchy and
limits negative future consequences. As per deontology theory, project manager should
thoroughly evaluate new changes and discuss them with project director to ensure that they
can be completed within the set budget and deadline (Dion, 2012). However, the decision of
project manager will delay the development, it will ensure that the client is happy and the
software will be developed as per the guideline. It will also ensure that a positive relationship
is maintained between the project manager and developer and the junior developer realised
his mistake of overriding the position hierarchy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, based on the deontological ethics theory, the action of the junior
developer is ethically incorrect because he overrides the position hierarchy. In order to
ethically address this issue, the project manager should make him realise about the hierarchy
and ensure that he realises his mistake. Project manager should also consult with project

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director before making any decisions for maintaining the position hierarchy. It will be
beneficial for all the parties involved in the issues.

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References
Al-Saggaf, Y. (2016, October 31). Scenario 2: Development Methodology. [Video File].
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0npm9cEJBWY
Al-Saggaf, Y., & Burmeister, O. K. (2012). Improving skill development: an exploratory
study comparing a philosophical and an applied ethical analysis technique. Computer
Science Education, 22(3), 237-255.
Audi, R. (2009). Business ethics and ethical business (p. 21). New York: Oxford University
Press.
Crossan, M., Mazutis, D., & Seijts, G. (2013). In search of virtue: The role of virtues, values
and character strengths in ethical decision making. Journal of Business Ethics, 113(4),
567-581.
Dion, M. (2012). Are ethical theories relevant for ethical leadership?. Leadership &
Organization Development Journal, 33(1), 4-24.
Paquette, M., Sommerfeldt, E. J., & Kent, M. L. (2015). Do the ends justify the means?
Dialogue, development communication, and deontological ethics. Public Relations
Review, 41(1), 30-39.