CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY (CSU)

Darlinghurst Campus
Sydney, Australia

ITC506 Topics in IT Ethics

Session 1 2018

Assessment 1 - Doing Ethics Technique

Submitted on 16/03/2018

Submitted by Kanav Manchanda

Submitted to Jonathan Lavaro

Introduction
(Ethical Dilemma Using DET Technique: Doing Ethics Techniques, 2017)Doing Ethics technique is a very
widely known and acceptable technique which helps in finding out ethical or non-ethical issues in any
scenario. This technique helps with inspiring the researchers keeping in mind the end goal to discover
the appropriate responses of the events that relate to the situation or scenario.

This assignment uses the doing ethics technique to specify the nature of the events happened in the
video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5M7ohdZ6qA). The report shows all the discoveries of this
research.

Performing DET on the Scenario

What’s going on?
This video was uploaded on Youtube by Yeslam Al-Saggaf on 31/10/2016. In the video, there is a
conversation happening between the project manager, Don and program director, Greg of a software
company. The company is working on developing a software for the Willis Group.

What are the Facts?

The CIO of the software company has asked Don to deliver the Willis project without encryption, which
also reduces the project delivery date by one month. Don is also saying that CEO of the company might
be thinking that if the project is not delivered on time then the company might lose the Willis project
from their hands which amounts to over 3 million. However, Greg is not sure about delivering the
project early as he had just spoken to Jason, the senior developer of the company, and he is stating that
the encryption is necessary for the Willis project. Also, Greg thinks that the project can get hacked if
delivered early without encryption. But, Don is trying to tell him that the possibilities of the project
getting compromised or hacked are very minimal and he is also trying to manipulate Greg by reminding
him about the bonuses the company and the team will get if they delivered early and they can install the
encryption by sending an update later.

What are the ethical and non-ethical issues?

After watching the video, I can see that there are number of ethical issues that are being not taken care
of.

 Encryption – Don is asking to let go of the encryption in the software and deliver the software
straight away, which can lead to multiple serious outcomes, due to which the software may lead
to crash. Also, there is not going to be appropriate security features in the software.
 Hacking – Since, Don is asking for not implementing the encryption so that project can be
delivered quickly so that they can retain the client but this can pose serious threat on the quality
of the project. This type of issue should be taken seriously.
 Contractual obligation – Since, Don is asking Greg to deliver the project 1 month prior to the
deadline of the project which means the contract terms are not properly followed or agreed
upon.
  Pressure – If Greg agrees to deliver the project without encryption and 1 month before the due
date, it will put immense pressure on the company developers which can lead to not a very
good software.
 Quality - Quality can get degraded if the project is needed to be delivered before due date or in
rush, which later can lead to crashing of the system.
 Money – Don is trying to manipulate Greg into delivering the project early without encryption
which will give them ample of bonuses as well.

The unethical issue that I have found in this scenario is that Greg is not thinking about the bonuses, he is
thinking about a quality product/software as per the delivery date.

Who is affected?
There can be many people who can be affected in this scenario. Willis company can be affected if the
software delivered without encryption gets compromised or hacked. The employees working for the
software company (designers, developers, project managers, directors), plus the public or the users of
the software whose data may get compromised by using the flawed software.

What are the ethical issues and implications?

Willis company agreed in the contract for the due date, so asking for project to be delivered early and
without encryption could lead to serious problems like hacking, crashing, corruption, employees getting
stressed due to deliverance of the project early.

What can be done about it?

In order to deliver a product which satisfies the terms and conditions described in the contract, the
software development company employees should be given ample of time to include all the features
and services in the software that has been described or laid down in the contract.

What are the options?

There can be some options that can be implied in order to deliver the product 1 month early.

 Hiring more Employees – The software development company can hire additional staff so that
the work can move or progress on a fast pace.
 There could be a clause in the contract or the agreement which should state that the employees
working on the project must not be pressured or forced to do anything that can lead to issues
for them or in their working.

Which option is best and why?

I think the option of hiring more employees can help with coming up with a solution. The new
employees can help in handling the short tasks in the development while the developers already
working on the project can deal with finishing of the project at a desired time. Also, the company can
retain the Willis company contract which is worth a lot of money.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I would like to add that the “Doing Ethics Technique” helps in making an understanding of
what are the ethical and unethical issues. Also, it helps in getting to implications which in my case is
hiring more employees so as to complete the project on time and retain Willis Corporation.
References
Barth, B. (2016, 05 2). NHS sharing unfiltered medical data on 1.6M patients with Google AI company.
Retrieved from SC magazine: https://www.scmagazine.com/nhs-sharing-unfiltered-medical-
data-on-16m-patients-with-google-ai-company/article/493730/

Ethical Dilemma Using DET Technique: Doing Ethics Techniques. (2017, 10 11). Retrieved from My
Assignment Help: https://myassignmenthelp.com/free-samples/ethical-dilemma-using-det-
technique-doing-ethics-techniques

Jennifer. (n.d.). Ethical Issues in Software Development. Retrieved from Scribd:

https://www.scribd.com/doc/10880744/Ethical-Issues-in-Software-Development

Mckneil, P. (2014, 06 12). Ethics and the Arts. Retrieved from Proquest Ebook Central:
https://ebookcentral-proquest-
com.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/lib/CSUAU/detail.action?docID=1731569#

Relkin, J. (2006, 08 15). 10 ethical issues confronting IT managers. Retrieved from Tech Republic:
https://www.techrepublic.com/article/10-ethical-issues-confronting-it-managers/

Wayner, P. (2014, 04 21). 12 ethical dilemmas gnawing at developers today. Retrieved from Info World:
https://www.infoworld.com/article/2607452/application-development/12-ethical-dilemmas-
gnawing-at-developers-today.html

Paunescu, A. (2014). THE INTERVIEW. ETHICS, ART AND TECHNIQUE OF THE LEGAL PLAGIARIST.
Contemporary Readings in Law and Social Justice, 6(1), 594-599. Retrieved from https://search-
proquest-com.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/docview/1550172283?accountid=10344