Software Engineering Ethics in British Columbia

There is a major difference between software developers and professional software engineers. The most critical one in British Columbia is the title of Professional Software Engineer is only given to those individuals who are Professional Engineers in the field of Software. The responsibility of endowing this title falls on the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (APEGBC), an organization that has been entrusted by the province of British Columbia to oversee the assessing and certifying individuals as Engineers and to handle any disputes, based on the work performed by Engineers, that may arise. For taking on this responsibility APEGBC Engineers are given a monopoly on the practice of Engineering in British Columbia.

APEGBC

Software Engineering is a fairly new engineering discipline in British Columbia, with the acceptance of the first application for APEGBC registration in the summer of 1999 [ (1)http://www.apeg.bc.ca/resource/innovation/archive/2001/2001mar.pdf page 8 ], and as an engineering discipline it must follow the Code of Ethics http://www.apeg.bc.ca/resource/publications/actbylawscode.html for the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (APEGBC), which consists of a Preamble and 10 brief principles of conduct. The Code is included in the Bylaws of the Association and was approved by the membership in 1991. These Guidelines and Commentary on the Code of Ethics are intended to assist APEGBC members in dealing with ethical situations and to assist others in their understanding and application of the Code. Hypothetical examples are also included. The Code of Ethics defines mandatory conduct for professional engineers and geoscientists. This document is intended as a guide only, and should not be considered as giving mandatory instruction. Each member of APEGBC is expected to exercise individual judgment at all times and in all situations. The Code of Ethics applies to all APEGBC members whether they are actually engaged in engineering or geoscience work or are working in other areas.

The Professions

A profession is a learned calling with specialized skills, distinctive functions and recognized social obligations and has unique characteristics.

• It renders services based upon advanced knowledge, skill and judgment.

• It is charged with a substantial degree of public obligation and performs its services largely in the general public interest.

• It is bound by a distinctive ethical code in its relationships with clients, employees, colleagues and the public.

• It assumes responsibility for actions related to professional services provided in a personal or supervisory capacity.

Professions such as engineering and geoscience are generally highly organized; they have definitive standards of admission (which are minimum standards only and make no distinction between the least competent persons and the outstanding leaders of the profession); they regulate the activities of their members; they promote the advancement of knowledge, skill and experience; and they encourage the formulation of standards. While
professionals should be fairly remunerated for their services, they are expected to put service above gain, excellence above quantity, rewards of selfexpression above any pecuniary incentive, and a code of honour above
competitive spirit.

Code of Ethics

The purpose of the Code of Ethics is to give general statements of the principles of ethical conduct in order that Professional Engineers and Professional Geoscientists may fulfill their duty to the public, to the profession and their fellow members.

Professional Engineers and Professional Geoscientists shall act at all times with fairness, courtesy and good faith to their associates, employers, employees and clients, and with fidelity to the public needs. They shall uphold the values of truth, honesty and trustworthiness and safeguard human life and welfare and the environment. In keeping with these basic tenets, Professional Engineers and Professional Geoscientists shall:

(1) hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public, the protection of the environment and promote health and safety within the workplace;

(2) undertake and accept responsibility for professional assignments only when qualified by training or experience;

(3) provide an opinion on a professional subject only when it is founded upon adequate knowledge and honest conviction;

(4) act as faithful agents of their clients or employers, maintain confidentiality and avoid a conflict of interest but, where such conflict arises, fully disclose the circumstances without delay to the employer or
client;

(5) uphold the principle of appropriate and adequate compensation for the performance of engineering and geoscience work;

(6) keep themselves informed in order to maintain their competence, strive to advance the body of knowledge within which they practice and provide opportunities for the professional development of their associates;

(7) conduct themselves with fairness, courtesy and good faith towards clients, colleagues and others, give credit where it is due and accept, as well as give, honest and fair professional comment;

(8) present clearly to employers and clients the possible consequences if professional decisions or judgments are overruled or disregarded;

(9) report to their association or other appropriate agencies any hazardous, illegal or unethical professional decisions or practices by engineers, geoscientists, or others; and

(10) extend public knowledge and appreciation of engineering and geoscience and protect the profession from misrepresentation and misunderstanding.

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