Monday, July 13, 2015

Code of Ethics

 Principle 1 – Public


During the workshop we provided students with information and ways on using IT for:
1.      Education
2.      Social activities
3.      Communication
4.      Professional and formal activities

Moreover, we discussed risks when utilising IT in those area and advised them on how those risks can be mitigated. In addition, we discussed potential opportunities and career paths in IT.

We have spent a few days as a group putting these material together and making sure what we present to students are accurate and valid as per item 1.1 (“1.1   Accept full responsibility for their own work”.)

As described in the intro section, as professionals we took the initiative to volunteer and use our skills to good use and contribute to public education. We encouraged the students at the workshop to share their skills with their family members and immediate community (i.e. teaching a parent to use computer to type a letter or sent an email, teach a younger cousin or a sibling to how to use a search engine properly, etc.).  Item 1.8 relates to above mentioned aspects (1.8 be encouraged to volunteer professional skills to good causes and contribute to public education concerning the discipline.)


 Principle 2 – Client and employer


Item 2.01 states “Provide service in their areas of competence, being honest and forthright about any limitations of their experience and education.”  When we approach the teacher of this IT class, we explained who we are and our credentials (degree, university, academic year), objectives and limitation of IT knowledge and experience. After making sure the teacher was very much comfortable with our candid discussion we agreed the date for the workshop giving the teacher plenty of time to convey the objectives of the workshops to students as well.  During the workshop there were a few questions from students where we didn’t quite know the answers to. We were honest with students at every question and made sure those questions were noted down to provide clarity on those at a later date.

The follow up communications (calls, emails, text messages) and details of students were made confidential in line with item “2.05 keep private any confidential information gained in their professional work, where such confidentiality is consistent with the public interest and consistent with the law.”


Principle 3 – Product

3.01 Strive for high quality, acceptable cost and a reasonable schedule, ensuring significant trade-offs are clear to and accepted by the employer and the client, and are available for consideration by the user and the public.

We were fully prepared for our workshop with a clear agenda which was communicated to the teacher and students in advance to make sure they come prepared with any queries. Throughout the workshop, we made sure we stick to the agenda and timings to ensure we cover all areas on-time as planned.  During the Q&A session we had we realized, we were running out of time; therefore, we noted down all queries we couldn’t answer on time with the view to respond to those offline.

3.02 Ensure proper and achievable goals and objectives for any project on which they work or propose.

As mentioned in the beginning of this section, we made sure we have a clear objective for the workshop before approaching the teacher. Our goal was to uplift IT knowledge of the society so that they can utilise the IT in their day-to-day lives.  We are planning to do the same for our future work such as conducting workshops in rural schools and tuition classes and doing promotional campaigns over the internet.

It was key that everyone in the team was aware of IT laws and were on the same page. While preparing, and during the workshop we made sure not to violate any laws. (3.03 Identify, define and address ethical, economic, cultural, legal and environmental issues related to work projects.)

Principle 4 – Judgment

This workshop and the future work we plan to transfer IT knowledge as a group will be free of charge completely, therefore, we will not be violating item 4.04 - “Not engage in deceptive financial practices such as bribery, double billing, or other improper financial practices.”


Principle 5 – Management

5.01 Ensure good management for any project on which they work, including effective procedures for promotion of quality and reduction of risk.

Planning and preparing is key to success of any project regardless the scale of it.  In addition to planning the date ahead and preparing an agenda, we made sure everyone in the team is properly prepared and rehearsed. We spent time on online group conversations making sure everyone was on the same page and to make sure we help each other in problem areas. We agreed a small budget, planned travelling and made sure all required equipment are ready ahead of the workshop.  In addition, we made sure we reached well before the start of the workshop to set-up the equipment, just so there were no last minute surprises.

5.12 Not punish anyone for expressing ethical concerns about a project.

Considering about that point is starting very beginning of the project where is when we were asking for the workshop we confirmed that they have no any ethical issues about our project and also after finished the workshop we asked from students that if you have any good or bad comments with regarding our workshop feel free to let us know and if you give us negative point about project we accept that with decent manner.

Principle 6 – Profession

6.02 Promote public knowledge of software engineering.

One of the objectives of our workshop was to promote public knowledge of software engineering.  We discussed the opportunities in the university and career opportunities in software engineering in Sri Lanka and overseas.

In addition, we discussed the IT professional bodies such as BCS we have registered in, online blogs and documents published by professional bodies and organisations and where to obtain scholar publications from (IEEE, etc)   - 6.03 Extend software engineering knowledge by appropriate participation in professional organizations, meetings and publications.


Principle 7 – Colleagues

7.01 Encourage colleagues to adhere to this Code.
While prepping for workshop and in all other professional dealings we encourage our colleagues and friends to adhere to this code. 

Additionally, we encouraged the students during the workshop to regularly read tech blogs and other activities to enhance their professional development. Moreover, as a team we are encouraging each other and share ideas on how we could further improve our professional development (“7.02 Assist colleagues in professional development.”)

7.03 Credit fully the work of others and refrain from taking undue credit.

While conducting the workshop we made sure all references were correctly specified in presentation material and we made sure it’s communicated to students clearly (sources can be person’s creations, organization’s publications, blogs, public material etc.)

7.05 Give a fair hearing to the opinions, concerns, or complaints of a colleague.

When deciding which activity we should prioritise first, everyone in the team came up with a few suggestion. My idea was to conduct a workshop in the town council or a government organisation but team members voted for IT tuition class and finally I agreed with them since they had a valid point (since in tuition class we have huge audience interested in IT)

Principle 8 – Self

8.06 Improve their knowledge of this Code, its interpretation, and its application to their work.

While preparing for the workshop we had a good review of the code of conduct and made sure we applied it correctly in this activity. It’s quite clear that a theory becomes much more valuable and understood, when it’s put to action.

8.08 Not influence others to undertake any action that involves a breach of this Code.

As we are fully aware how important this code of conduct, we always try not to influence others to breach this code of conduct by taking any in appropriate actions.  Throughout the workshop we tried our best to communicate this to our audience and we will endeavour to do so in the future as well.

Before concluding, I would like to briefly mention our future plans as well.  In the future we are planning to approach rural schools and communities to see if we can volunteer to improve their IT knowledge and to show how to utilise that knowledge in practice.  I believe as educated IT professionals we have a duty to our society and we appreciate any support you can provide us. Please contact me dmtpdisanayaka@gmail.com

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