Chapter 2: Computing Professions and Professional Ethics

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)

The world's first scientific and educational computing society

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

a non-profit professional association dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence

Professional According to Michael Bayles

-requires extensive training

-involves significant intellectual effort

-provides an important service to society

-often requires certification or licensing

-often has an organization of members

-often is autonomous in one's work

Good Works Project

defines a profession as any career in which the worker is awarded a degree of autonomy in return for services to the public that are performed at a high level

Professional According to John Kultgen

-involves a skill based on a theoretical foundation

-requires extensive education

-requires passing an exam

-is organized and represented by one or more professional organizations

-adheres to a code of conduct

Professional According to John Kultgen

-provides altruistic service

-requires members to assume responsibility for the affairs of others

-is indispensable for the public good

-members are licensed so their work is sanctioned by the community

-Members are independent practitioners, serving individual clients

Professional According to John Kultgen

-Members do their best to serve their clients impartially without regard to any special relationship

-Members are compensated by fees of fixed charges

-Members are highly loyal to their colleagues

-Members regularly contribute to professional development

-Members' prestige is based on guaranteed service

Professional According to John Kultgen

-Members use individual judgment in applying their profession

-The work is not manual

-Profits do not depend on capital

-Professional status is widely recognized

Profession According to Michael Davis

a number of individuals in the same occupation voluntarily organized to earn a living by openly serving a certain moral ideal in a morally permissible way beyond what law, market, and morality would otherwise require.

moral ideal

state of affairs that, though not morally required, everyone wants everyone else to approach, all else being equal.

Rules

It tells us certain things we must do and certain things we must not do.

Principles

Truths that are to be consistently maintained unless there is a compelling reason to do otherwise.

Public

Software engineers shall act consistently with the public interest.

Client and Employer

Software engineers shall act in a manner that is in the best interests of their client and employer consistent with the public interest.

Product

Software engineers shall endure that their products and related modifications meet the highest professional standards possible.

Judgment

Software engineers shall maintain integrity and independence in their professional judgment.

Management

Software engineering managers and leaders shall subscribe to and promote an ethical approach to the management of software development and maintenance.

Profession

Software engineers shall advance the integrity and reputation of the profession consistent with the public interest.

Colleagues

Software engineers shall be fair to and supportive of their colleagues.

Self

Software engineers shall participate in lifelong learning regarding the practice of their profession and shall promote an ethical approach to the practice of the profession.

Ideals

Goals that are inherently to achieve.

1. Education

2. Experience

3. Examination

3 Components to Establish One’s Profession

Non-Discriminatory

Members shall treat people with dignity, good faith and equity; without discrimination; and have consideration for the values and cultural sensitivities of all groups within the community affected by their work

Zeal

Members shall act in the execution of their profession with integrity, dignity and honour to merit the trust of the community and the profession, and apply honesty, skill, judgement and initiative to con- tribute positively to the well-being of society

Community

Members’ responsibility for the welfare and rights of the community shall come before their responsibility to their profes- sion, sectional or private interests or to other members

Skills

Members shall apply their skills and knowledge in the interests of their clients or employers for whom they will act without compromising any other of these Tenets

Continuous Development

Members shall develop their knowledge, skills and expertise continuously through their careers, contribute to the collective wisdom of the profession, and actively encourage their associates to do likewise

Outcomes and Consequences

Members shall take reasonable steps to inform themselves, their clients or employers of the economic, social, environmental or legal consequences which may arise from their actions

Potential or Real Conflicts of Interest

Members shall inform their clients or employers of any interest which may be, or may be perceived as being, in conflict with the interests of their clients or employers, or which may affect the quality of service or impartial judgement

Competence

Members shall follow recognised professional practice, and provide services and advice carefully and diligently only within their areas of competence