Case Study: Ethical Leadership in Project Management Scenario

This case study examines a project management scenario involving leadership, project execution, and ethical considerations. The case focuses on two project managers, Bob and Jim, and highlights their leadership styles and decision-making processes. Bob's actions raise ethical concerns, particularly regarding billing carpenters' work on a personal project, which violates the PMI code of conduct. The analysis covers project execution, risk analysis (including weather-related risks), and ethical assessments. The solution explores alternative actions, ethical applications, and the importance of using the PMI ethical decision-making framework. Jim's decision to address the ethical issue with Bob directly, rather than immediately reporting him, is evaluated. The study emphasizes the significance of honesty, responsibility, and adherence to ethical standards in project management to prevent unnecessary costs and maintain professional conduct. References from academic journals are included to support the analysis.

Individual Case Study Assignment 1
Individual Case Study Assignment
Name
Institution Affiliation

Individual Case Study Assignment 2
Project Management (PM) Leadership
In the case, both Jim and Bob demonstrated leadership skill in the case given. Bob More had
been an exceptional proficient organizer in a large commercial construction for 25 years as mentioned in
the case study. Bob demonstrated good leadership in his work and clients always wanted him to
supervise their construction. Bob was also in charge of the $34 million dollar university classroom
project and he ensured the project went smoothly before the spring and winter months brought a lot of
rain. Jim Rains who was a newly hired demonstrated good leadership and he was learning and taking
responsibilities in management as the project proceeded. Jim also was faced with a tough decision when
Bob approached him on the issue of billing carpenters' working hours on the project. He demonstrated
good leadership by talking to Bob and advised to stop billing hours carpenters worked in Bob's house on
the project telling him it is unethical. As a good leader, one must follow protocol and he demonstrated
this by talking to Bob instead of going directly to the project manager.
Project Management (PM) Execution
The execution of the project was going well and only the rain disrupted the smooth running of
the project. The project was proceeding well and Jim was learning a lot of management skills every day.
Bob also tried to keep the project going even during the rainy season by assigning carpenters other tasks
such sweeping floors that were already on roof. The Carpenters were also had to work for 3 days in a
week sometimes but Jim need not like to send them home for the fear of losing workers for the project.
The alternative to the current process going on is to halt the project during the rainy season but this
would negatively impact the project especially regarding the expected date of completion. The other
alternative would be to pay the workers for the hours they have worked but this would really discourage
the workers and they would not show up on the next workday.
Project Management (PM) Risk Analysis
Risk analysis is very important in project management since it helps project managers be aware
of potential challenges in the project execution and alternative solutions to mitigate the risks. The
project plan should have identified risk scheduling risks in the project. Natural factors such as rain are
expected during the winter and spring season, therefore, the plan should have considered this and come
up with a solution prior to the commencing of the project [1]. The project mitigation plan to this risk of
bad weather could be scheduling the project to take place during the season with low rain probability.
Ethics Assessment
The case brings up ethical concerns that are going against the law and the PMI code of conduct
as well as Professional conduct. Bob was sending carpenters to work in his house on some of the rainy

Individual Case Study Assignment 3
days and he wanted to bill this work on the project. This is against the PMI code of ethics as it violets the
responsibility and honesty standards [3]. The code requires professional project majors not to use their
position to influence the decisions of others for personal benefits. Bob was using his position to use
carpenters to do his personal work at home and wanted to influence Jim to make the decision of siding
with him. The honesty standards in PMI code of ethics requires project management profession to
provide accurate information but Bob's intentions of paying carpenters for work done at his home using
the project budget was going against this standard.
Ethics Alternatives
Bob had the alternative of giving the accurate information concerning the working of the
carpenters. Not giving the accurate information would have made him lose his job and even ruin the
reputation he had built for 25 years [3]. Giving accurate information would make him a good example to
Jim who was new in the sector. Jim on his side had the alternative of reporting Bob to the project
manager. This would be a demonstration of trustworthy but also it would ruin his relationship with Jim.
This alternative would also not be taken well since Bob had established his reputation in the company.
Ethics Analysis
Jim made a decision of warning Bob against billing carpenters on the project budget instead of
going to report directly to the office. According to PMI Ethical Decision Framework, he had all the facts
about the ethical dilemma and he considered his alternatives before making the decision. He made a
good decision of warning Bob since he had not committed the ethical misconduct yet and the warning
could have changed his mind to follow PMI code of conduct.
Ethics Applications
The choice of reporting Bob to the project manager or the appropriate office would be for the
greatest good since the company would save the unnecessary cost. Bob would also learn the importance
of honesty and use his position responsibly [8]. The choice would be fair and beneficial to all the
concerned. The choice would benefit Bob in ensuring he is responsible and also saves the company from
unnecessary costs.
Ethics Action
I think Jim made a good decision of warning Bob instead of going to report him to the project
manager. He applied the PMI framework for making decisions well since he analyzed all the alternative
decisions after gathering his facts [6]. It is important to use the PMI ethical decision-making framework
when we are faced with a dilemma in project management to ensure ethical conduct.

Individual Case Study Assignment 4
References
[1] Bredillet, C. “Ethics in project management: some Aristotelian insights. International Journal of
Managing Projects in Business,” 2014, 7(4), 548-565.
[2] Bredillet, C., Tywoniak, S., & Dwivedula, R. “What is a good project manager? An Aristotelian
perspective”. International Journal of Project Management, 2015, 33(2), 254-266.
[3] Kanabar, V., Hefley, W., Messikomer, C., & Thomas. “Integrating Ethics and Professionalism Learning
Outcomes in a Project Management Course” 2016
[4] Moraga, M. Á., García‐Rodríguez de Guzmán, I., Calero, C., Johann, T., Me, G., Münzel, H., &
Kindelsberger, J. GreCo: “Green code of ethics. Journal of Software: Evolution and Process, “2017,29(2).
[5] Terouhid, S. A., & Ries, R. “Organizational sustainability excellence of construction firms–a
framework.” Journal of Modelling in Management, 2016,11(4), 911-931.
[6] Too, E. G., & Weaver, P. “The management of project management: A conceptual framework for
project governance.” International Journal of Project Management, 32(8), 2014,1382-1394.
[7] Vega, G., & Aubry, M.” Introducing Teaching Case Studies in Project Management Journal” Project
Management Journal, 2018.
[8] Whitaker, S. Ethics and Professional Conduct. In Pass the PMP® Exam , 2016,(pp. 475-494). Apress,
Berkeley, CA.