Development Methodology: An Ethical Analysis Based on ACS Code

This essay examines the ethical dilemmas presented in a scenario involving a junior developer and a client request for software changes, analyzed through the lens of the Australian Computer Society (ACS) Code of Professional Conduct. The analysis identifies violations of the code, including neglecting public interest, honesty, and professionalism, stemming from the developer's failure to consult with the project manager before committing to the client's demands. The essay recommends that the project manager address the ethical breach by discussing the issue with the junior developer, communicating directly with the client to manage expectations, and ensuring all changes align with the project's budget, timeline, and security standards. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of adhering to the ACS code to maintain ethical conduct and public trust in the ICT profession, advocating for the project manager to handle client communications to prevent future ethical lapses.

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Topics in Information Technology Ethics
Video 2: Development Methodology

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Table of Contents
Introduction...............................................................................................................................2
Facts of the Case........................................................................................................................2
Ethical Issues based on ACS Code of Ethics...............................................................................2
Recommendation.......................................................................................................................4
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................4
References..................................................................................................................................5

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Introduction
The objective of this paper is to evaluate the facts of “Video 2: Development
Methodology” to identify ethical issues which are raised in this scenario related to
information and communication technology (ICT). The legal implications of ethical problems
will be analysed in this report along with the evaluation of solutions to these ethical
dilemmas. Australian Computer Society (ACS) Code of Professional Conduct will be
evaluated in this report to identify the ethical issues and provides a solution to the ethical
problem raised in this case.
Facts of the Case
In the given scenario, the junior developer of the company received a call from the
client. During the call, the client requested to make some changes in the software which is
developing by the company (Al-Saggaf, 2016). The junior developer confirmed to the client
that the requested changes will be included in software. He also told him that the company
will deliver software as per the set deadline without any extra charges. The junior developer
did not discuss the changes with the project manager without conforming to the client that
these changes will be included in the report.
Ethical Issues based on ACS Code of Ethics
In order to identify the ethical issue raised in this scenario, it is important to evaluate the
ACS Code of Ethics. Professionals operating in this industry have to upheld and comply with
these guidelines to ensure that they maintain the honour, dignity and effectiveness of the
profession (Burmeister, 2013). Following are the six codes of ethics:
 The primary of the public interest: It is important that the professional must place
the interest of the public above anything else which include their personal, business
or sectional interests.
 The enhancement of quality of life: The professional have to strive in order to
ensure that they enhance the quality of life of those who are affected by their work.
 Honesty: ICT professionals have to ensure that they discharge their duties and
conduct their operations while maintaining integrity.

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 Competence: ICT professionals must ensure that their work is competent and
diligent as per the requirement of their stakeholders.
 Professional development: It is important that ICT professionals are enhancing their
skills and knowledge and they should also focus on the professional development of
their staff members.
 Professionalism: ICT professionals must enhance the integrity of society and respect
for other members by professionally discharging their duties (ACS, n.d.).
In the given scenario, the key ethical issue is raised because the junior developer has
violated the ACS code of ethics. The junior developer did not consult with the project
manager before taking the decision to confirm the client that the necessary changes will be
included in the software. He failed to prioritise the public interest because makes changes in
software while meeting the deadline could make it difficult for the company to ensure that
the software is safe which makes it vulnerable towards cyber-attacks due to which private
data of people can be compromised (Burmeister, 2017). The junior developer was not
honest when he confirms the client regarding the changes because he did not know how
much time and cost will it take for the company to make changes in the software. The junior
developer wanted to make the client happy based on which he lied to him without
confirming with the project manager.
Lastly, the junior developer failed to act with professionalism since he overrides his
position hierarchy. He did not have the authority to deal with the client directly; instead, he
should have discussed the changes requested by the client with the project manager to
determine whether the company can include them in software while delivering it within the
set deadline. Due to the overriding of the hierarchical position, the junior developer failed to
comply with the ACS code of ethics (Reynolds, 2018). He did not enhance the integrity of
society and respect for other ICT members because if the company did not make these
changes and deliver them within the deadline, then the client will be upset. Moreover, if the
company did not properly ensure that the software is secured, then people could lose their
private data which negatively affect the respect of other ICT members as well.

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Recommendation
In order to address this ethical issue, the principles of the ACS code of ethics can be
applied. The project manager can discuss this issue with the junior developer by making him
realise his mistake. The project manager can also directly call the client to tell him that the
junior developer did not have the authority to give confirmation regarding changes in
software. The project manager then decides whether these changes can be made within the
given budget and timeline after which he can confirm the same with the client, or he can
demand more time and money to make necessary changes in software. This will ensure that
the project manager prioritised the public interest, act honestly and maintain
professionalism in his work based on which he will comply with the ACS code of ethics
(Holder-Webb & Cohen, 2012). Therefore, it is recommended that the first ending of the
video is the right thing for the project manager to do in which he should request the
developer to forward such calls to him in order to avoid similar ethical dilemmas.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ACS code of ethics provides key guidelines which ICT professional
can follow in order to ensure that they conduct their operations in an ethical manner while
uplifting respect for their profession in public. In the given scenario, an ethical issue has
raised because the junior developer has overridden the position hierarchy which leads to
violation of ACS code of ethics such as the priority of the public interest, honesty and
professionalism. This issue can be addressed if the project manager complies with the ACS
code of ethics by dealing with the client to make sure that the changes requested by him
can be done with the given budget and timeframe. The first ending of the video is the
ethical choice based on which project manager should request the developer to forward
such calls to him to make sure that they comply with ACS code of ethics to prioritise the
public interest, act honestly and in a professional manner.

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References
ACS. (n.d.). ACS Code of Ethics. Retrieved from
https://www.acs.org.au/content/dam/acs/acs-documents/Code-of-Ethics.pdf
Al-Saggaf, Y. (2016, October 31). Scenario 2: Development Methodology. [Video File].
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0npm9cEJBWY
Burmeister, O. K. (2013). Achieving the goal of a global computing code of ethics through an
international-localisation hybrid. Ethical Space, 10(4), 25-32.
Burmeister, O. K. (2017). Professional ethics in the information age. Journal of Information,
Communication and Ethics in Society, 15(4), 348-356.
Holder-Webb, L., & Cohen, J. (2012). The cut and paste society: Isomorphism in codes of
ethics. Journal of Business Ethics, 107(4), 485-509.
Reynolds, G. (2018). Ethics in Information Technology. Boston: Cengage Learning.