As professionals in a field of considerable consequence to the public, it is incumbent upon us to be mindful of the consequences, intended and unintended, of our actions. Engineering is an activity that is characterized by creativity and by discipline. Engineering without the former is sterile and of marginal utility. Without the latter, it is of uncertain consequence, and therefore risk, to customer and even to the public. Codes of ethics exist to remind us of issues in our relationships with the public, our clients or customers, and with other engineers.

Both because of the scope of possible consequences and because of the engineer's expertise-based relationship with others, it is an ethical imperative to take reasonable positive steps to prevent errors or unintended adverse consequences. Such steps are in many ways intellectually obvious, but still can present challenges in our practice of engineering, whether it is research or development or product delivery. We examine a few simple practical examples of steps that can prove useful in implementing the above values while minimizing adverse consequences, including project failure. While this topic is not "rocket science", there are lessons to be learned from examples of rocket science and from other types of projects.

* * *

PRACTICAL ETHICAL MAXIMS FOR ENGINEERS

As participants in a creative profession, engineers should be mindful of the impact of their endeavors upon the public, their clients, and their fellow engineers. The ethical codes of the various engineering societies have a common core. Besides reviewing the essence of these codes and their underlying values, the presenter offers a set of guidelines, drawn from personal experience, to aid the engineer in dealing mindfully with typical, everyday issues.

12/11