Honesty (Ethical Principle)
Honesty is the PMI ethical principle requiring practitioners to understand the truth and act in a truthful manner, both in communications and in conduct.
Explanation
The honesty value in the PMI Code of Ethics establishes that project managers must be truthful in all professional communications and create an environment where others feel safe to be truthful. This applies to status reports, stakeholder communications, estimates, risk assessments, and all other project information.
Aspirational standards encourage practitioners to earnestly seek to understand the truth, be truthful in communications and conduct, and create an environment where others feel safe to tell the truth. Mandatory standards prohibit engaging in or condoning dishonest behavior, including making misleading or false statements, stating half-truths, or providing information out of context with the intent to mislead.
On the exam, honesty questions often present a scenario where a project manager is pressured to present overly optimistic status reports or hide bad news from stakeholders or sponsors. The ethical answer always involves transparent and accurate reporting, even when the truth is uncomfortable.
Key Points
- •Understand the truth and act truthfully in all communications
- •Do not engage in or condone deceptive behavior
- •Create an environment where others feel safe to tell the truth
- •Never provide information out of context with intent to mislead
Exam Tip
When pressured by a sponsor or executive to present an optimistic project status that does not reflect reality, the honest response is to report the actual status and offer a plan to address the issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Topics
PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
The PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct is a foundational document that establishes the ethical expectations and behavioral standards for all PMI members, volunteers, and certification holders.
Truthful Reporting
Truthful reporting is the ethical obligation to provide accurate, complete, and timely information about project status, performance, risks, and issues to all authorized stakeholders.
Responsibility (Ethical Principle)
Responsibility is the PMI ethical principle requiring practitioners to take ownership of decisions, actions, and their consequences, and to act in the best interests of society, public safety, and the environment.
Test your knowledge
Practice scenario-based questions on this topic with detailed explanations.