IT Ethics: Development Methodology Scenario Analysis Report - ACS Code

This paper examines an ethical issue within an IT context, specifically focusing on a development methodology scenario. The assignment analyzes the actions of a junior developer who makes changes to a project without proper authorization, violating the organizational hierarchy and the ACS Code of Ethics. The paper highlights breaches of honesty, professionalism, and the primacy of public interest. The analysis is supported by relevant academic references. Recommendations are provided, suggesting the junior developer should adhere to the ACS Code of Ethics, follow proper channels, and prioritize public interest. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of adhering to the ACS Code of Ethics to manage activities ethically within the workplace and minimize ethical issues. The paper stresses the importance of following established procedures and seeking appropriate approvals before making decisions that affect projects and clients, ensuring ethical conduct in software development.

Topic in It Ethics

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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
About Video 2: Development Methodology...................................................................................2
ACS CODE OF ETHICS.................................................................................................................2
Ethical issue.....................................................................................................................................3
Recommendations............................................................................................................................4
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................4
References........................................................................................................................................5
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Introduction
In this paper the discussion will be made on the second video (Development
methodology). The paper will highlight the ethical issue from the perspective of the Australian
computer society (ACS) code of professional conduct. In the last phase of the report, the
recommendations will be made on addressing the ethical dilemma.
About Video 2: Development Methodology
In this video, it is analyzed that the call is received by the junior developer. The customer
requested to make the changes in the contract which is given to the company. At that time the
assurance is given to the consumer about the changes that will be made in the software. The
junior developer accepted to make the changes that were requested by the clients. But he has
given the assurance to make the changes in the projects without taking approval from the project
manager. The step taken by the junior developer was not ethical as he ignore the organizational
hierarchy and also assured the customer about the changes that will be made in the software (Al-
Saggaf, 2016).
ACS CODE OF ETHICS
It can be said that ACS Code of Ethics is a part of ACS Constitution. ACS Code of Ethics
provides the guidelines that should be followed by the professionals in respect to dignity and
honor (ACS, 2019).This emphasizes on being a good citizen and also encourages and enforces
them to comply with the society values:
 The primacy of the public interest
The ICT professionals have the responsibility to offer primacy to the public above the
interests in personal and business terms.
 The enhancement of quality of life
The ICT professionals have to focus on improving the quality of the life of the
individuals who are impacted due to the assigned work.
 Honesty
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It is considered as one of the traits of professionals in which the emphasis is given on
highlighting their skills, knowledge, products and services.
 Competence
It is necessary for ICT professionals to act competently and diligently to secure the
stakeholders interest.
 Professional development
The ICT professionals should build themselves and their employees on the ground of
professionalism.
 Professionalism
It is necessary for the ICT professionals to act in a particular manner to boost integrity
and respect of ACS and its associates (ACS, 2019).
Ethical issue
The junior developer has overridden the hierarchy of the organization by attending the
calls of the customers. The ethical issue that took place is related with the assurance given by the
developer to make the changes without taking permission from the project manager. It has
affected the rules and regulations of the company. The junior developer has breached the ACS
Code of ethics. The ACS Code of Ethics breached by the junior developer is honesty,
professionalism and primacy of public interest. It is examined that the junior developer was not
honest towards the work because he did not have the knowledge that the changes given by the
customer will be included in the software without exceeding the deadline. He was unable to
manage the activities within the organizational hierarchy.
Professionalism is also one of the ACS codes of conduct that was not followed by him at
the time of communicating with the client. Professionalism takes place when the employee
follows the organizational hierarchy and should have in-depth knowledge of taking correct step
at the time of managing the activities (Adelstein & Clegg, 2016). He confirmed the request made
by the customer without taking acceptance from the project manager. This has negatively
impacted the professionalism of the junior developer. To be professional it is important for the
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junior developer to take confirmation from the project manager before taking any decisions in
the workplace. The Primacy of the public interest is another ACS Code of Ethics which is not
followed by the junior developer. It was his duty to make sure that he acts in the favor of public
interest by ensuring that the software is safe to use ((Boddington, 2017). It was the duty of the
junior developer to make sure that the data of the individuals who use the software are secured.
But by giving assurance to the customer by having no knowledge of the changes can impact the
customer satisfaction (Reynolds, 2018).
Recommendations
It is recommended that he should Comply ACS Code of Ethics so that he acts ethically in
this situation. He should have acted professionally by taking permission regarding the changes
requested by the customer. He should also take care of the organizational hierarchy at the time of
giving assurance to the customer. The junior developer should have followed the ACS CODE
OF ETHICS by giving priority to the public interest by making sure that the changes requested
by the client did not lead to data breach of the customers. He should not put his personal or
business interest about the interest of the public. The junior developer should be honest with the
client by telling the client that he doesn’t have the authority to take such decisions. He should
also have consulted the project manager at the time of confirming the changes made by the
customer in the project. So, it is recommended that the first ending of the video should be
considered by the project manager. The best solution can related with requesting the developer to
forward such calls in future to avoid such issues.
Conclusion
It is concluded that ACS Code of Ethics should be complied in the workplace so that
dignity and honor of professionals. By analyzing the video, it has been analyzed that the junior
developer overridden the organization hierarchy by giving confirmation regarding the changes in
the software to the customer without consulting with project manager. He has not followed the
ACS Code of Ethics such as professionalism, honesty and primacy of public interest. It is
important for the professionals to follow ACS Code of Ethics so that the ethical issues can be
minimized in the workplace. To address the ethical issue raised in this video, it is recommended
that the junior developer should consult the project manager before making any decisions in the
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workplace. It is necessary for him to follow the organizational hierarchy so that the activities can
be managed within the specified code of ethics. So, it can be concluded that it is important to
follow ACS Code of Ethics to manage the activities in the workplace.
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References
ACS. (2019). ACS CODE OF ETHICS. Retrieved
from: https://www.acs.org.au/content/dam/acs/acs-documents/Code-of-Ethics.pdf
Adelstein, J., & Clegg, S. (2016). Code of ethics: A stratified vehicle for compliance. Journal of
Business Ethics, 138(1), 53-66.
Al-Saggaf, Y. (2016, October 31). Scenario 2: Development Methodology. [Video File].
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0npm9cEJBWY
Boddington, P. (2017). Towards a code of ethics for artificial intelligence. Cham, Switzerland:
Springer.
Reynolds, G. (2018). Ethics in Information Technology. Boston: Cengage Learning.
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