Civil Engineering Design and Technology

UBGMKD – 15 -1

Professionalism and Engineering Ethics

Lecture Overview

• Engineering Ethics

• Professionalism in engineering practice

• Team Dynamics and Communication

The word “ethics” comes from the Greek word
“ethos” and is defined as the study of
standards of right and wrong; part of science
and philosophy dealing with moral conduct,
duty, and judgment.
Morals, Ethics, Law

Morals refer to social conventions about right and wrong that are
widely shared so that they become the basis for an established
consensus.

Ethics comes from the Greek word “ethos” and is defined as the
study of standards and codes of behavior expected of an
individual by a group.

Law is a system of rules that tells what one can and cannot do.
Laws are enforced by a set of institutions such as the police,
courts, and lawmaking bodies.
Engineering and Ethics

• Engineering ethics is an area of applied ethics although other

theories of ethics come into play in engineering ethics.

• It is the field that examines and sets standards for an engineer’s

obligations to the public, clients, employers, and the profession.

• Ethical issues involve quality, safety, legal compliance, conflict of

interest (bribery and gifts), and treatment of confidential or
proprietary information.
Engineering Council
Statement of Ethical Principles
1. Honesty and integrity

2. Respect for life, law, the environment and public good

3. Accuracy and rigour

4. Leadership and communication

Source: https://www.engc.org.uk/ethics
Honesty and integrity

• Act in a reliable and trustworthy manner

• Be alert to the ways in which their work and behaviour might affect
others and respect the privacy, rights and reputations of other parties
and individuals
• Respect confidentiality
• Declare conflicts of interest
• Avoid deception and take steps to prevent or report corrupt practices or
professional misconduct
• Reject bribery and improper influence
Respect for life, law, the environment and public
good
• Hold paramount the health and safety of others and draw attention to hazards

• Ensure their work is lawful and justified

• Recognise the importance of physical and cyber security and data protection

• Respect and protect personal information and intellectual property

• Protect, and where possible improve, the quality of built and natural
environments

• Maximise the public good and minimise both actual and potential adverse
effects for their own and succeeding generations

• Take due account of the limited availability of natural resources

• Uphold the reputation and standing of the profession

Accuracy and rigour

• Always act with care

• Perform services only in areas in which they are currently competent or
under competent supervision
• Keep their knowledge and skills up to date
• Assist the development of engineering knowledge and skills in others
• Present and review theory, evidence and interpretation honestly,
accurately, objectively and without bias, while respecting reasoned
alternative views
• Identify, evaluate, quantify, mitigate and manage risks not knowingly
mislead or allow others to be misled
Leadership and communication

• Be aware of the issues that engineering and technology raise for society,
and listen to the aspirations and concerns of others
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion
• Promote public awareness and understanding of the impact and
benefits of engineering achievements
• Be objective and truthful in any statement made in their professional
capacity
• Challenge statements or policies that cause them professional concern
Code of
Conduct
Code of Conduct: examples from around the
world
Code of Ethics

Source: https://www.ecindia.org/ECI-MF-BOX.htm

Source: https://www.asce.org/career-growth/ethics/code-of-ethics

Source: https://www.soeuae.ae/(S(4e4xxlugryg33wzkgkrlllqe))/en/Default.aspx

Source: https://www.engineeringnz.org/
Institution/Company/Organisation Policy
Recap

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KZx81crb48
Activity Give examples of ethical
issues an engineer may face.
5 minutes
Examples of ethical issues

• Conflict of interest

• Bribery

• Confidential information

• Gift

• Environmental protection

• …
Institution of Civil Engineers SayNo Toolkit

Source: https://ice.saynotoolkit.net/
Example Case

Source: https://ice.saynotoolkit.net/
Takeaways

Engineering Ethics is the field that examines and sets standards for an engineer’s
obligations to the public, clients, employers, and the profession.

Engineering Council – Ethical principles

• Honesty and integrity

• Respect for life, law, the environment and public good

• Accuracy and rigour

• Leadership and communication

Defining a professional Engineer

Professionalism is the combination of knowledge, skills, and ethical behaviour

that defines an engineer’s approach towards their work

It encompasses a set of qualities such as, integrity, accountability, honesty, and

respect for one’s colleagues and clients

Professionalism lays the foundation of trust and reliability in engineering practice

which are vital for successful project outcomes
More definitions
Skill (something learned)

The ability to do something well; expertise; a particular ability

[from Late Old English scele “knowledge”, Old Norse skil “discernment, knowledge”]

Ability (able to do something)

Possession of the means or skill to do something

[Late Middle English from Old French ablete from Latin habilitas, from habilis ‘able’]

Capability (demonstration / implementation of learning/ amount and quality)

The power or ability to do something

Competence / Competency (can show something has been learned and beyond – behaviour, skill)
The ability to do something successfully or efficiently
What makes a Professional Engineer?

Technical Skills:

Academically educated
Knowledge and ability in specific topics
Work experience, able to demonstrate application of skills and competencies,
implementing learning and capable of providing impact

Transferable Skills, e.g.:

Organisation & Planning - process
Leadership – people
Commercial awareness - business

+ the willingness to implement these skills

https://www.engc.org.uk/standards-guidance/standards/uk-spec/
Transferable Skills: Importance

While engineering has always required technical aptitude, the field has evolved to
become much more interdisciplinary and collaborative.

Engineers today work closely with professionals in scientific research,

manufacturing, business, policy making, and more. They cannot stick to purely
technical work in isolation.

Why Transferable Skills Matter for Engineers?

• Improved collaboration and productivity

• Access to critical resources

• Professional development and leadership

Transferable Skills: Which Skills Matter Most for
Engineers?
• Communication Skills, Clear and effective: Engineers communicate daily via email, chat,
documentation, presentations, technical reports, and face-to-face conversations. How to
improve? Practice public speaking and presentations, Learn tactics for effective emails and
documentation, Take a business writing course

• Teamwork & Collaboration: Engineers must learn to listen, co-create solutions, divide
responsibilities, give feedback, and align on goals. Project management and organizational
skills are key too. How to improve? Get involved in team sports, groups, or clubs, practice active
listening, take on more co-creation projects

• Problem Solving: Creative problem solving is a soft skill. The ability to think outside the box and
identify innovative solutions. How to improve? Brainstorming in groups, reading and exploring
your disciplines and different disciplines, get involved

Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/soft-skills-engineers-importance-communication-teamwork-cory-barnes
Transferable Skills: Which Skills Matter Most for
Engineers?
• Time Management: Careful planning and coordination is imperative. Setting
realistic milestones, multi-tasking efficiently, and meeting deadlines ultimately
drives business success. How to improve? daily schedules, prioritization can help
optimize work

• Cultural Awareness: Engineers need empathy and emotional intelligence to

collaborate with people from different backgrounds in international setting and
working oversees. They must also design solutions for a variety of international
end-users. How to improve? Improving cultural competency starts with
examining personal biases, reading diverse perspectives, and expanding
worldviews. Learning foreign languages, and embracing new experiences

Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/soft-skills-engineers-importance-communication-teamwork-cory-

barnes
As a professional …

Consider Beware

• Society – targeted
users
• Ethics – is the
• Exploitation
planned solution
ethical?
• Adverse Impact
• Culture – will the • Obsolescence
solution fit the • Unintended
culture? Consequences
• Environment – • Miscommunicatio
breadth of impact, n
end of life
• Legal – different
countries/states
The impact of professionalism on Engineering
practice:
• Efficient project management: clear communication, realistic deadlines, adherence to budget and
time will contribute to a successful project and build reputation as a reliable expert

• Enhanced Safety measures: follow established safety protocols, conduct thorough risk assessment
will minimise chances of errors and/or accidents during design, construction and maintenance

• Ethical Decision making: transparent and ethical decision making ensures prioritising interests of
public and clients, upholding professional integrity prevents unethical practices, e.g. cutting
corners, compromising quality, favouring personal gain,….

• Continuous Professional Development: as a professional you have to recognise the need for
ongoing learning and development, you will remain at the forefront of cutting-edge technologies
and industry trends and this will lead to better engineering practice

• Collaboration and Teamwork: as a professional you excel in collaboration and teamwork,

collaborative environment enhances problem-solving abilities, encourages knowledge sharing, and
results in more creative and innovative solutions and reduces errors
What is teamwork?

People Woking collaboratively to achieve a goal

There are four elements to an effective teamwork:

• Commitment: shared objectives

• Communication: keeping others informed and sharing relevant information

• Contribution: everyone working and playing to their strength

• Collaboration: sharing expertise and working habits to achieve joint goals

Team collaborative and Etiquette:
• Cultivating a positive work within a team begins with respect. This respect is manifested in various ways:
from acknowledging diverse opinions and valuing each team member's contributions to being punctual
in meetings and attentive when others speak. It's about creating a space where everyone feels heard,
valued, and understood

• Communication is the lifeblood of effective teamwork. It should be open, honest, and constructive. When
team members communicate effectively, misunderstandings are minimized and the flow of ideas is
enhanced. It's important to encourage all team members to voice their thoughts while also ensuring that
discussions remain focused and productive. Active listening is a key part of this process; it involves
engaging with the speaker, asking clarifying questions, and responding thoughtfully.

• Establish clear roles and responsibilities. This reduces overlap and confusion, allowing for a more efficient
workflow. However, flexibility is also important; being willing to step outside one's defined role to help a
teammate or address an unforeseen challenge is a hallmark of a strong team player.

Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/team-collaboration-etiquette-cultivating-positive-work-ph4ee
Team collaborative and Etiquette:

• Handling disagreements with diplomacy and professionalism is essential. It involves addressing

issues directly with the parties involved, seeking to understand different perspectives, and
working together to find a resolution that is in the team's best interest. It's about finding
common ground and moving forward.

• Recognition and appreciation play a significant role in maintaining a positive work environment.
Celebrating successes, acknowledging individual efforts, and showing gratitude for a team
member's hard work reinforces a culture of appreciation. Team members feel valued and are
therefore more invested in their collective success.

Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/team-collaboration-etiquette-cultivating-positive-work-ph4ee
Take Aways

• Engineering and Ethics examines and sets standards for an engineer’s

obligations to the public, clients, employers, and the profession

• Professionalism is the combination of knowledge, skills, and ethical

behaviour that defines an engineer’s approach towards their work

• While engineering has always required technical aptitude, the field has
evolved to become much more interdisciplinary and collaborative, We
need transferable skills