Texas Tech University

Guidelines for Facilitating Solutions to Ethical Dilemmas in Professional Practice

  1. Determine the facts in the situation by obtaining all of the unbiased facts possible.
  2. Define the stakeholders, or those with a vested interest in the outcome.
  3. Assess the motivations of the stakeholders by using effective communication techniques and personality assessment.
  4. Formulate alternative solutions based on most complete information available, using basic ethical core values as guide.
  5. Evaluate proposed alternatives: short-list ethical solutions only; may be a potential choice between/among two or more totally ethical solutions.
  6. Seek additional assistance, as appropriate. Turn to engineering codes of ethics, previous cases, peers, reliance on personal experience, even prayer if necessary.
  7. Select the best course of action, one that which satisfies the highest core ethical values.
  8. Implement the selected solution, and take action as warranted.
  9. Monitor and assess the outcome. Always note how to improve the next time.

Murdough Center for Engineering Professionalism