8. IEEE / ACM ethics and the engineer

Professional organisations such as the IEEE** and the ACM*** recognise that engineers have an obligation to act in an ethical manner when designing or developing computer systems.

They have put together a set of 8 principles as a guide

  • PUBLIC: Software engineers shall act consistently with the public interest.
  • CLIENT: 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 ensure that their products and related modifications meet the highest professional standards possible.
  • JUDGEMENT: 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.

The full description of these principles can be found at the Software Engineering Ethics Research Institute.

 

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** IEEE -- Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

*** ACM -- Association of Computing Machinery, the largest education and scientific computing society in the world.