Analysis of Ethical Issues in IT: Development Methodology Scenario

This report undertakes an analysis of ethical issues within the realm of Information Technology (IT), specifically focusing on a scenario involving a junior developer's interaction with a client regarding software changes. The analysis employs the "Doing Ethics Technique (DET)" to evaluate the situation, identifying the facts, issues, and affected parties, including the junior developer, the customer, the project manager, and the company. The report highlights the ethical implications, particularly the violation of hierarchical authority and the application of deontological ethics. It explores potential solutions, such as the project manager establishing protocols for client communication and emphasizing the importance of following organizational hierarchy. The conclusion emphasizes the unethical nature of the junior developer's actions and the importance of feedback and adherence to the organizational structure to prevent future ethical breaches. The report references several academic sources to support its analysis and recommendations.

Running Head: Information technology ethics
Information technology ethics

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Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................1
Doing Ethics Technique – Analysis...............................................................................................................1
What is going on?....................................................................................................................................1
What are the facts?.................................................................................................................................1
What are the issues?...............................................................................................................................1
Who is affected?......................................................................................................................................1
What are the ethical issues and implications?.........................................................................................2
What can be done about it?....................................................................................................................2
What options are there?.........................................................................................................................3
Which option is best and why?................................................................................................................3
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................3
References...................................................................................................................................................4
Introduction
The paper focuses on implementing "Doing Ethics Techniques (DET)" for evaluating the
ethical problems seen in Video 2 (Development Methodology) (Franck, 2017). In this paper

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proper evaluation is made to analyse the ethical issues related to ICT and implications will be
accessed of the ethical problems. Also, in the last phase solutions that are ethical will be
provided so that issues can be addressed and also ethical theories will be applied.
Doing Ethics Technique – Analysis
What is going on?
It is seen that a junior developer got a call from the customer. Customer requests to make
some changes in the software. He told the client that the organization will make changes and
give them the software before the given time. The junior developer confirms the request that the
changes will be made without taking permission from the project manager.
What are the facts?
A junior developer of the organization receives a call from the customer related to change
in the software. He failed to consult with the project manager regarding the changes and he
confirms the changes requested by the client without the permission of project manager. This
resulted in overridden of position hierarchy.
What are the issues?
The junior developer overrides the hierarchy by taking call of the customer directly. The
junior developer gives confirmation to the customer that the organization will make changes to
the software without taking advice from the project manager. The changes are made in the
service contract by the junior developer who overrides the authority of the organization.
Who is affected?
Junior developer
By receiving the call of the customer, the junior developer overrides the hierarchy which
impacts the job position given to him in the organization. He also does not consider his
responsibility and gave confirmation to the customer that the organization will make changes to
the software and will deliver it within the deadline.
The Customer

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The customer will be not satisfied and might face serious financial issues if the
organization does not deliver the software with the changes within the given deadline.
Project Manager
A project manager has the responsibility to deal with the customers and give assurance of
delivering software based on the request made by the customer. The changes that are confirmed
by the junior developer can give an outcome in enhancing the issues for the project manager
since he has to ensure that software is developed within the budget and it is delivered within the
specified deadline.
The Company
If the confirmation made by the junior developer is not fulfilled by the given deadline then they
might lose their contract in future and impact will also be seen on the image. The customer will
be not satisfied and will impact the future contracts of the organization.
What are the ethical issues and implications?
In order to ensure ethical activities in the organization, it is important that employees
follow a code of conduct and hierarchical authority can be maintained (Peters, 2015). The
deontological ethics theory helps to judge the actions that are based on rules (Trevino & Nelson,
2016). By taking into consideration this theory, it is seen that actions that actions of the junior
developer were not correct (Zarim & Zaki, 2016).
The junior developer has given confirmation to the customers about the changes to the
software without taking an advice from the project manager. He failed to fulfil his duties by
overriding the hierarchy of position. The decision taken by the manager is ethically not correct.
What can be done about it?
There are various ways in which the project manager can manage the situation. It is
important for him to realize the mistake so that this type of mistake cannot be done in future. He
can identify the new changes that are required to be considered within time and resources given
to the company or he should call a client and clarify the mistake done. In order to implement the
changes, it is important that project manager take advice from project director.

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What options are there?
A project manager should make some rules so that calls can be transferred to him and he
can talk to the customer regarding the changes to ensure that they can complete the work without
extending the deadline and budget. If project manager shouts on the developer then it can
demotivate him towards the work and it can create a problem for the organization. A project
manager should try to motivate the developer so that activities can be conducted smoothly.
Which option is best and why?
It is seen that best option is that project manager should make a request to the junior
developer to make sure that this type of mistake does not take place in future. It will make him
realize the organizational hierarchy and will limit the negative consequences that can take place
in future. The changes should also be discussed with the project manager so that mistakes can
take place in future (Al-Saggaf, 2016).
Conclusion
It is concluded that the action taken by the junior developer is not ethical. So to address
this issue it is important that junior developer should realize the hierarchy so that mistake can be
realized by the junior developer. Also, feedback should be given by the project manager to the
junior developer so that this type of mistakes does not take place in future.
References

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Al-Saggaf, Y. (2016, October 31). Scenario 2: Development Methodology. [Video File].
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0npm9cEJBWY
Franck, O. (2017). Varieties of conceptions of ethical competence and the search for strategies
for assessment in ethics education: A critical analysis. In Assessment in Ethics
Education (pp. 13-50). Springer, Cham.
Peters, R. S. (2015). Ethics and Education (Routledge Revivals). Routledge.
Trevino, L. K., & Nelson, K. A. (2016). Managing business ethics: Straight talk about how to do
it right. John Wiley & Sons.
Zarim, Z. A., & Zaki, H. O. (2016). Ethics and Integrity in Building Employee’s
Perceptions. Management, 4(3), 131-137.