Analyzing The Situations Wherein Ethical Dilemma Is Encountered

Question: Discuss about the Analyzing The Situations Wherein Ethical Dilemma Is Encountered. Answer: Introduction In the present times, the professionals encounter a number of situations wherein they have to face ethical dilemma. The doing ethics technique is the process of analyzing the situations wherein ethical dilemma is encountered. It does not guarantee the best ethical solution for the case; however, it helps in thinking ethically. The technique is based on eight questions which are applied at a chronological order on the given situation. Although the technique is vague, it provides adequate guidance for the ethical analysis of situation. In the present case, the doing ethics technique is applied in a project management situation (McDermid, 2015). In this situation, the project director asks the project manager to skip encryption process for earlier launch of application software. Doing Ethics Technique Case Synopsis: In the present case, the project of developing application software is running behind schedule. The CEO of the company wants to submit the project on time as it will guarantee more projects from the client. However, increasing the pace of the schedule will require skipping the encryption process which will make the software vulnerable to the external attacks. Facts: Delaying the project will result in disgruntled client and negatively impact on the profits of the margin. As the current project is associated with a large number of future projects, it is important that the project is completed within time and will all the prerequisites. In the present case, delivery of the project on time is near to impossible. The project manager has to remove unnecessary details from the project. However, encryption a critical factor in the successful completion of the project. The encryption is required for security purposes. Without encryption, the hackers can easily enter into the system. It will result in bad reputation and criticism of the client as well as the software manufacturing company. If the confidential information of the company is leaked through hacking, it may result in financial loss and bad repute for the client organization (Lewis, 2015). Ethical and non-ethical Issues: There are significant ethical and non-ethical issues in the present case. The project manager can yield under the pressure and may develop a project without the encryption. However, it is unethical as it may result in unnecessary damage to the client. The client will unknowingly install the system in its IT infrastructure; however, it will make the organization vulnerable to different attacks. It will be unethical on the part of the project manager. On the other hand, the organization will benefit in numerous ways by delivering the project on time. It is observed that in IT projects, delivery time is very crucial. If the organization is unable to deliver the project on time; it will result in disgruntled client. It can damage the reputation of the company and result in the loss of business (Tavani, 2011). Along with it, the company can also bag other projects from the same client, if the present project has all the desired features and is delivered on time. However, the implications of hacking are higher if there is no encryption. The negative impact of the situation is far greater than the benefits. If the company remains successful is bagging more projects from the client, the project manager can also earn share or benefit from it. Therefore, there are a several different implications of the decision. Stakeholders: In the present case, there are a large number of stakeholders. All the stakeholders will face the impact of the decision in one way or another. CEO of Software manufacturing company: The CEO of the company is looking for the potential benefits from the present project. He is seeking that the organization gets as many projects as possible from the current project. As a result, he is trying to assure that the project is complete on schedule. However, if the project manager does not apply adequate security measures in the project, it can affect adversely on the reputation of the organization. Project manager: The project manager regulates the project. He can control the features of the project; however, one wrong decision of him can impact adversely on the client organization and the vendor organization (Sekerka, 2013). Client: The client wants the project on time. However, he also expects that the software has all the deliverables. If some features will be absent in the final product, it may adversely impact on the client organization. Implication of Ethical Issues: The ethical issues have long-lasting implications on the organization. It can damage the reputation of the organization. Other than that, it can also damage the profitability of the business organization. Solutions: In the present case, the best solution is to abide by the ethical laws. The project director should talk to the CEO and the client. He should state clearly that it is not possible to submit the project on time with all the features. They should clearly mention that if they want the project on time, the encryption procedure will be omitted which will increase the vulnerability of the organization towards security attacks. The project manager should also suggest that there is possibility that the project is installed now but the encryption is added later as an add-on feature (Black Roberts, 2011). All these suggestions should be clearly discussed with the client to increase the transparency of the organization. Options: There are a several options from which the project manager has to choose his decision. Firstly, he can yield to the project director and decide to develop the application without the encryption. The second option is to communicate with the client and make him understand that developing a good and secure application will take time. The third option is to negotiate, communicate with the client that the application which will be installed in the predefined time. However, the encryption will be added later as an add-on (Andrew, Don Gammack, 2016). Although with this strategy, the project will be completed in the time; however, the system vulnerability to external security attacks will be increased. Best Option: In the present case, the best option is to communicate with the client that the project will take time and deliver the complete solution. In the present case, it important the project is delivered with adequate security features as if the system security is breached, the risk posed to the organization will be very high. Conclusion It can be concluded that several times ethical dilemma is encountered in the lives of the IT professionals. In the present, an ethical dilemma of early launch is encountered. The project manager faces an ethical dilemma wherein he is pressurized to deliver the project on time and skip the encryption process. It can result in security hack and damage to the client. The present situation is investigated with the help of Doing Ethics Technique. It has been found that the best method is to inform the client about the importance of encryption and ask for time for project delivery. References Andrew, M., Don, K., Gammack, J. (2016). Managing Security Issues and the Hidden Dangers of Wearable Technologies. IGI Global. Black, J. Roberts, C. (2011). Doing Ethics in Media: Theories and Practical Applications. Taylor Francis. Lewis, V. (2015). Doing Ethics: Moral Reasoning and Contemporary Issues: Fourth Edition. W. W. Norton Company. McDermid, D. (2015). Ethics in ICT: An Australian Perspective. Pearson Higher Education AU. Sekerka, L.E. (2013). Ethics Training in Action: An Examination of Issues, Techniques, and Development. IAP. Tavani, H.T. (2011). Ethics and Technology: Controversies, Questions, and Strategies for Ethical Computing. John Wiley Sons.