ACM/IEEE SWEngineering Code of Ethics and Professional

PracticeAppendix A, p 467

Preamble

• SW engineers participate in the analysis, specification, design, development, maintenance, and testing of software systems

• B/C of this SW Engineers have significant opportunities to do good or cause harm, to enable others to do good or cause harm, or to influence others to do good or cause harm

Preamble (2)

• SW Engineers shall adhere to the following Code of Ethics and Professional Practice

• Code contains 8 principles

• Each principle contains several clauses

• The list of principles and clauses is not exhaustive

• The clauses should not be viewed as separating the acceptable from the unacceptable for all situations

Preamble (3)

• The code is not a simple ethical algorithm that generates ethical decisions

• In certain situations standards may be in tension w/ each other or w/ standards from other sources

• These situations require the SW Engineer to use ethical judgement to act in a manner which is most consistent w/ the spirit of the Code of Ethics and Professional Practice

Overview of Principles

• The 8 Principles are based on relationships of the SW Engineer

• 1) Public• 2) Client and Employer• 3) Product• 4) Judgment• 5) Management• 6) Profession• 7) Colleagues• 8) Self

Introducing the Principles

• Principle 1: Public

• SW Engineers shall act consistently w/ the public interest. In particular, SW Engineers shall, as appropriate – now consider the 8 clauses to this principle– in particular, note 1.03

• What have we discussed this semester related to clause 1.03?

Principle 2: Client and Employer

• SW Engineers shall act in a manner that is in the best interests of their client and employer, consistent w/ the public interest. In particular SW Engineers shall, as appropriate:– Which clauses relate to ethical scenarios we have

discussed this semester?– How do the clauses relate to our previous

discussions and decisions?

Principle 3: Product• SW Engineers shall ensure that their

products and related modifications meet the highest professional standars possible. In particular, SW Engineers shall, as appropriate.

• Which clauses relate to ethical scenarios we have discussed this semester?

• How do the clauses relate to our previous discussions and decisions?

• Which of these 15 clauses are you most likely not to follow? Why?

• Which of these clauses do you think you will encounter frequently? Why?

Principle 4: Judgment

• SW Engineers shall maintain integrity and independence in their professional judgment. In particular, SW Engineers shall, as appropriate

• Create an ethical scenario based on 4.03 with multiple choice options

Principle 5: Management

• SW Engineering managers and leaders shall subscribe to and promote an ethical approach to the management of software development and maintenance. In particular, those managing or leading sw engineers shall, as appropriate

• Define an ethical scenario based on clause 5.06

Principle 6: Profession

• SW Engineers shall advance the integrity and reputation of the profession consistent w/ the public interest. In particular, SW Engineers shall, as appropriate– Comment on clause 6.08 and clause 6.09

Principle 7: Colleagues

• SW Engineers shall be fair to and supportive of their colleagues. In particular, SW Engineers shall, as appropriate

• Comments?

Principle 8: Self

• SW Engineers shall participate in lifelong learning regarding the practice of their profession and shall promote an ethical approach to the practice of the profession. In particular, SW Engineers shall continually endeavor to:– Comments

Appendix B Codes of Ethics of Selected Foreign Professional

Societies• Does each of the societies call the practitioners

SW Engineers, Computer Scientists or something else?

• Briefly read the Code from the Computer Society of India

• Is it more rigorous than that from the ACM/IEEE?• Any items stand out as uniquely different from the

ACM/IEEE code?• Are there many similarities?

The Italian Code of Conduct

• Read

• Differences

• Similarities

• Terminology

• Unique rules

The Japan Information Service Industry

• Read

• What seems unique

• Thoughts on culture after last weeks lecture

The Singapore Code

• Note rule 2, pg. 484

• Any thoughts after last weeks lecture?