PMP lesson · People & Team Leadership · Ethics and professional conduct · lesson 1 of 2 · about 7 minutes
The four values: responsibility, respect, fairness, honesty
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Goal: After this lesson you can apply the four values of the PMI Code of Ethics to common project situations and recognise the ethical answer on the exam.
1The situation
“Present it positively”
At a phase gate, the robot cell fails two of five exit criteria. The sponsor, under pressure, asks you privately to “present the data positively”.
The same week, your junior colleague wants to hide a two-week slip from the monthly report “because we'll recover it”. And you realise you promised the customer free spare parts at lunch, without the authority to do so.
Three small temptations. Each has a clear professional answer.
2Four values
The PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct rests on four values. Each has aspirational standards (what we strive for) and mandatory standards (what we must do).
Responsibility
Ownership
Own decisions and mistakes; keep commitments; protect safety.
Respect
Dignity
Treat people, cultures and property with respect.
Fairness
Impartiality
No favouritism; manage conflicts of interest.
The fourth value, honesty, is tested most often: truthful reporting, no misleading information, no hiding problems.
Exam pattern: the ethical answer is transparent, follows policy and law, and never trades honesty or safety for schedule, money or relationships.
3The four values
Responsibility
Own your decisions and mistakes; keep commitments; protect safety; report violations through proper channels.
Respect
Treat everyone with dignity; listen; respect cultures and property; address disrespect.
Fairness
Decide impartially; avoid and disclose conflicts of interest; equal information for all bidders.
Honesty
Report truthfully; never mislead; correct your own errors; no hidden information.
Responsibility · respect · fairness · honesty.
4How it looks on the exam
Exam-style question 1. At a phase gate review, the project fails two of five exit criteria. The sponsor privately asks the project manager to 'present the data positively' so that the gate is approved. What should the project manager do?
A. Present the data positively and document the request
B. Present the results objectively with an assessment of risks and options, and let governance decide
C. Postpone the gate review indefinitely
D. Report the sponsor to the PMO before the review
Show the answer and the decode
Answer: B.
In simple English
Pressure to make results look better.
What is the question really asking?
The honest action.
Key words / trigger
“'present the data positively'”
PMP logic
Honesty: governance decisions need accurate information; the PM presents facts and options.
Why the wrong answer looks attractive
Documenting the request feels protective, but it does not make misleading reporting acceptable.
5Remember this
Your memory card
Four values: responsibility, respect, fairness, honesty
Ethical answer = transparent, legal, within policy
Never trade honesty or safety for schedule, money or relationships