The following describes the PMI EDMF steps.

Assessment: Make sure you have all the facts about the ethical dilemma.

To what extent does the dilemma abide, align, or agree with: The law? $,$ PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct? $,$ Employer$$s code of ethics and conduct?, Client$$s code of ethics and conduct? $,$Your ethical values? $,$ Ethical values of the surrounding culture? If it does not abide by the law, seek legal counsel. If the answers to the above questions provide substantial facts to make a case, go to the next step. If you are not sure, you may need to gather more facts or ask a trusted person for advice.

Alternatives: Consider your choices n List the possible alternative choices. Consider the pros and cons for each possible choice. If the alternatives result in a viable solution, go to the next step to analyze your candidate decision. If not, you may need to gather more facts and complete your research.

Analysis: Identify your candidate decision and test its validity n To what extent will your candidate decision have a positive impact or prevent harm to: Project managers? $,$ PMI staff or volunteers? $,$ Clients? $,$Your employer$$s organization? $,$ Environment? $,$Different cultures? $,$ Future generations? $,$Other stakeholders? Will this decision seem like a good idea a year from now?

To what extent are you: Free from influence to make this decision? $,$ Calm enough to make this decision? If the possible impacts are acceptable, proceed to check your decision against ethical principles in the next step. If not, consider taking time to test another candidate decision, review your alternatives and$/$or your case.

Application: Apply ethical principles to your candidate decision. To what extent is your candidate decision consistent with the values of: Responsibility? $,$ Respect? $,$ Fairness? $,$ Honesty?.

If your alignment with these values evokes doubts or seem to create a new dilemma, you might need to reconsider your decision, review the facts, the alternatives, and the implications. If your candidate decision is consistent with the values, move to the next step to decide and take action.

Action: Make a decision. To what extent are you willing and able to: Accept responsibility for your decision? $,$Make your decision public and feel good about it$?$ If you are comfortable with your decision, take action. If not, retrace these steps to discover a better solution.Consider this statement: $$In this global economy, where there is a desire to win through achievement and success, ethical lapses are everywhere $($Maxwell$,2003,$ p $4)."$

Do you feel that the ethical guidance you examined, which was provided by the Project Management Institute, is sufficient to deter project managers from unethical behavior? Why is that? What would you add, if anything?