Professional Engineering Practice Liaison Program, "Guidelines for Facilitating Solutions to Ethical Dilemmas"
Notable for being exclusively values-driven, for including stakeholder motivations, and for recognizing the value of outside or external assistance
SOURCE FOR THE PROCEDURE
Rogers, William J. "Guidelines for Facilitating Solutions to Ethical Dilemmas." 1997. http://www.engr.washington.edu/~uw-epp/Pepl/Ethics/ethics4.html (9 Jun. 1999).
These are the guidelines recommended by the Applied Ethics Case of the Month Club,
College of Engineering, University of Washington.
THE PROCEDURE ITSELF
- Obtain all of the unbiased facts possible.
- Define the stakeholders, those with a vested interest in the outcome.
- Assess the motivations of the stakeholders.
- Formulate alternative solutions using core ethical values (integrity, honesty, fidelity, charity, responsibility, self-discipline) as a guide.
- Evaluate proposed alternatives.
- Seek additional assistance, as appropriate.
- Refer to engineering codes of ethics.
- Compare to previous cases.
- Consult with peers.
- Rely on personal experience and prayer.
- Select the course of action that best satisfies the highest core ethical values.
- Implement the selected solution.
- Monitor.
- Assess the outcome.
- Improve the next time.
WALT'S CHECKLIST
The same checklist was applied to all procedures.
- This method is most useful when the DECISION-MAKER ...
- cultivates personal virtues [step 4]
- has easy access to advisors, consultants or role-players [step 6c]
- has keen insight into human motivation [step 3]
- has plenty of time for investigation and analysis [step 6]
- is skilled in case-based, precedent-based or example-based reasoning [step 6b]
- is skilled in conflict- or dilemma-resolution methods
- This method is most useful in a SITUATION ...
- that will change little over time
- This method is most useful when STAKEHOLDERS ...
- share ethical codes or policies [step 6a]
- share values [steps 4 and 7]
