U. S. Department of Defense, "Ethical Decision-making Plan"

SOURCE FOR THE PROCEDURE

THE PROCEDURE ITSELF

1. Define the problem.
   1. State the problem in general terms.
   2. State the decisions to be made.
2. Identify the goals.
   1. State short-term goals.
   2. State long-term goals.
3. List appropriate laws or regulations.
4. List the ethical values at stake.
5. Name all the stakeholders.
   1. Identify persons who are likely to be affected by a decision.
   2. List what is at stake for each stakeholder.
6. Gather additional information.
   1. Take time to gather all necessary information.
   2. Ask questions.
   3. Demand proof when appropriate.
   4. Check your assumptions.
7. State all feasible solutions.
   1. List solutions that have already surfaced.
   2. Produce additional solutions by brainstorming with associates.
   3. Note how stakeholders can be affected (loss or gain) by each solution.
8. Eliminate unethical options.
   1. Eliminate solutions that are clearly unethical.
   2. Eliminate solutions with short-term advantages but long-term problems.
9. Rank the remaining options according to how close they bring you to your goal, and solve the problem.
10. Commit to and implement the best ethical solution.

WALT'S CHECKLIST

• This method is most useful when the DECISION-MAKER ...
  • has easy access to advisors, consultants or role-players [step 7b]
  • has high initial sensitivity to relevant ethical "features" [step 1]
  • has plenty of time for investigation and analysis [step 7]
  • is skilled in causal or consequential reasoning [step 7c]
  • uses a "bookkeeping" system that allows multiple alternatives to be tracked, scored, ranked and compared
• This method is most useful in a SITUATION ...
  
  • that will change little over time
  • where the decision-maker is also a stakeholder [step 10]
• This method is most useful when STAKEHOLDERS ...
  • share ethical codes or policies [step 3]
  • share laws and legal precedents [step 3]
  • share values [step 4]

Index