[System Engineering / Project Management]

You are a systems engineer assigned to work on a project to deploy an enterprise network management tool. You recently learned that the project managers step-son has started working for the company that is one of the three vendor products under consideration. The PM intends to continue to lead the product selection. Explain using the 5 step framework (attached below) to deal with ethical decisions and what you would do.

1. Recognize an ethical issue: Could this decision or situation damage someone or some group? Does this decision involve a choice between a good and a bad alternative? Does this issue involve more than simply legal considerations? If so, then in what way? 2. Get the facts: What are the relevant facts of the situation? Do I have sufficient information to make a decision? Which individuals or groups have an important stake in the outcome? Have I consulted all relevant persons and groups? 3. Evaluate alternative actions: Which option will produce the most good and do the least harm? (the utilitarian approach) Which option best respects the rights of all stakeholders? (the rights approach) Which option treats people equally or proportionately? (the fairness approach) Which option best serves the community as a whole and not just some members? (the common good approach) 4. Make a decision and test it: Considering all the approaches, which option best addresses the situation? 5. Act and reflect on the outcome of your decision: How can I implement my decision with the greatest care and attention to the concerns of all stakeholders? How did my decision turn out, and what did I learn from this specific situation