Ethical Analysis of Software Development Using Ethics Technique

This report presents an analysis of the Doing Ethics Technique, applying it to a case study involving a web development company and its development of a new accounting system. The report begins with an introduction to ethical dilemmas faced by IT professionals and the role of ethical frameworks in addressing them. It then synthesizes the case, outlining the scenario where a software company develops a new accounting system that faces consumer interface issues. The core of the report applies the Doing Ethics Technique, systematically addressing questions about the situation, facts, issues, affected parties, ethical implications, potential actions, and the best options for resolving the ethical dilemma. The analysis highlights the importance of considering stakeholder interests, particularly the taxpayers and the employees, and suggests a solution involving software adaptation based on employee feedback. The conclusion emphasizes the significance of ethical decision-making in IT and the utility of ethical frameworks like the Doing Ethics Technique in guiding professionals toward morally sound actions.

Running Head: DOING ETHICS TECHNIQUE 1
Doing Ethics Technique

Doing Ethics Technique
Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Case Synthesis.................................................................................................................................3
Doing Ethics Technique Foundation...............................................................................................4
What’s going on?.........................................................................................................................4
What are the Facts?......................................................................................................................5
What are the Issues?.....................................................................................................................5
Who is affected?...........................................................................................................................5
Advanced Doing Ethics Technique foundation...............................................................................6
What are the ethical issues and implications?..............................................................................6
What can be done about it?..........................................................................................................6
What are the options?...................................................................................................................6
Which option is best?...................................................................................................................6
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................7
References........................................................................................................................................8

Doing Ethics Technique
Introduction
In the present times, the business managers as well as IT professionals encounter several
situations wherein they encounter ethical dilemma. However, it is the duty of the IT
professionals to take morally sound and ethically correct actions as the welfare of the society is
the primary responsibility of the professionals. These professionals face complex situations and
an ethical framework or ethic theory can assist the professional in addressing these situations.
Over the years, a large number of ethical theories have developed which try to assist an
individual in taking ethical decisions. Although these theories are based on different principle,
the basic essence of these theories is same. The doing ethics technique is also developed to assist
an individual in addressing ethical issues in any scenario (Simpson, Nevile & Burmeister, 2003).
This method can assist a person in thinking with ethical mindset. However, it is a technique and
the outcome of the framework is dependent upon its application. Therefore, although this method
does not guarantee ethical decision, it assures that ethical frame of mind is used to obtain the best
solution.
Case Synthesis
In the present case, a web development company is trying to create a more efficient
accounting system for the tax payers and the government. This system will be used to assist the
tax payers of the country in saving a large amount of money. A computer professional is
incorporated with the responsibility to handle the task and design the complete system for the
organization. The computer professional incorporated with the responsibility divides the task
among three persons, one is responsible for developing the reports for the accounting system,
and another person is responsible for internal processing of the system and a third person is

Doing Ethics Technique
responsible for developing user interface. The manager of the system analyzes the system and
gives a positive review. Then after, the development team goes ahead with the development of
the software project. When the system is installed within the organization, a large number of
consumer complaints arise and the management reinstalls the previous computer system. The
management also states that it will not invest any more money in the development of new
accounting system. However, this system will result in large cost incurred by the tax payers of
the country.
Doing Ethics Technique Foundation
It is an ethical issue for the IT professional and the management as they are is dilemma
whether to give the interest of the employees or the consumers’ prime importance. In this regard,
in the present section, doing ethics technique is applied for taking the best decision. It is a
general framework which may assist a person in taking ethical decisions. There are several steps
in doing ethics technique, in each of these steps, the person answers a questions and arrive at a
proper conclusion (Lewis, 2015). In the below section, the doing ethics technique is applied to
the case:
What’s going on?
In the present case, a software designing organization develops software which can reduce the
cost to the organization to a significant extent. Along with it, it can also reduce the money paid
by the tax payers and this money can be utilized in other welfare activities. However, during the
development of software, the consumer interface was not designed properly and was complicated
to use. As a result, the company reinstalled the previous software and halted to invest any more
financial resources in the software development. It resulted in the wastage of the tax payer
money (McDermid, 2015).

Doing Ethics Technique
What are the Facts?
There are several facts in the present case study. Firstly, only the consumer interface was having
the operational issues. Therefore, it is possible that the developer of that particular part was
facing any issues and as a result, could not develop a proper system for the organization. Other
than that, the upper management made everything easier for themselves and reinstalled the
previous system without making any making any efforts. The upper management should make
higher efforts as the system is important for the public of state. According to the ethical theories,
a person should perform the action which has the best outcomes for the public (Copp, 2005).
What are the Issues?
There are several ethical issues in the present case. Firstly, the upper management should
consider the interest of different parties and select the best possible solution for the organization.
The primary issue is that the organization should be considerate of the interest of the public and
take actions which are for their benefit. Other than that, the organization should also examine the
issues on the software development as complete discard of the software will be wastage of the
money, efforts and time (Waluchow, 2003).
Who is affected?
In the present case, there are a large number of stakeholders which may get influenced by the
ethical issue. The stakeholders in the present case are the employees and the tax payers. If the
new accounting software is installed in the organization, it can benefit the organization a lot. In
contrast to it, if the organization installs the new software it can negatively impact on the
performance and the productivity of the organization. \

Doing Ethics Technique
Advanced Doing Ethics Technique foundation
What are the ethical issues and implications?
These ethical issues have significant implications for different stakeholders. If the new software
is completely discarded, the tax payers will suffer from the action. Firstly, a lot of time, efforts
and money are invested in the development of software. All these efforts will get wasted, if the
organization will reinstall the previous software. However, if the organization installs the new
software, it will create issues for the employees working in the organization (Birsch, 2013).
What can be done about it?
The present case is an ethical dilemma in which the decision of upper management will impact
on different stakeholders. The employees and the taxpayers are the different stakeholders of the
organization. The company should select the option which is best for the employees as well as
the tax payers. It is the duty of IT professionals to take actions which are better for the society.
The organization should take appropriate decisions which are better for the organization, society
as well as employees (Melden, 2013).
What are the options?
In the present situation, the best option is to send the software for changes or adaptation
according to the feedback of the employees. The organization should try to adopt the best
practices for the welfare of the public. It can also take guidance from similar software and utilize
them to develop user-friendly software. It can also develop a committee of industry experts so
that better outcomes can be achieved for the software (Giersson & Holmgren, 2000).
Which option is best?
According to the personal perspective, the option of making changes in the current software
system is appropriate. The upper management of the organization should be able to take
decisions which are beneficial for the employees as well as for the tax payers. Therefore, the

Doing Ethics Technique
most appropriate decision is to conduct a survey with the employees of the organization. The
employees should be surveyed thoroughly regarding what are their issues with the software and
these changes should be implemented in the software system of the organization (Black &
Roberts, 2011).
Conclusion
It can be concluded that ethical decision-making is integral part of the lives of IT
professionals. Several times, in their professionals, the IT professionals encounter situations of
ethical dilemma wherein it is important to take morally correct and justifiable decisions. In the
Professional Code of Ethics, it is imbibed that it is the duty of IT professionals to direct their
actions towards the welfare of the society. Their actions should not harm the society in any
manner. Therefore, it is important that the IT professionals should utilize ethical framework
while taking the crucial decisions for the organization. In this regard, in the present case, the
doing ethics framework has been utilized for addressing a specific situation. In the case, the
upper management of a business organization outright discards specific software as there were
some issues with the consumer interface. When this framework is applied, a solution is derived
in which proper changes can be made in software. The changes will be in accordance to the
feedback provided by the employees.

Doing Ethics Technique
References
Simpson, C., Nevile, L., & Burmeister, O. (2003). Doing Ethics: a universal technique in an
accessibility context. Australasian Journal of Information Systems, 10(2).
McDermid, D. (2015). Ethics in ICT: An Australian Perspective. Pearson Higher Education AU.
Lewis, V. (2015). Doing Ethics: Moral Reasoning and Contemporary Issues: Fourth Edition. W.
W. Norton & Company.
Black, J. & Roberts, C. (2011). Doing Ethics in Media: Theories and Practical Applications.
Taylor & Francis.
Copp, D. (2005). The Oxford Handbook of Ethical Theory. Oxford University Press.
Birsch, D. (2013). Introduction to Ethical Theories: A Procedural Approach. Waveland Press.
Melden, A. (2013). Ethical Theories. Read Books Ltd.
Waluchow, W.J. (2003). The Dimensions of Ethics: An Introduction to Ethical Theory.
Broadview Press.
Giersson, H., & Holmgren, M. (2000). Ethical Theory: A Concise Anthology. Broadview Press.