By Marvin Bennett Sr., P.E., RS Marvin holds a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland. Marvin Bennett is also a Professor in the School of Architecture and Planning at Morgan State University teaching a variety of Construction Management courses. He has professional engineering licenses in Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and New Jersey, and is affiliated with the American Society of Civil Engineers, National Association of Home Builders. Marvin serves on the Quorum Editorial Committee and Maryland Legislative Committee of the Washington Metropolitan Chapter Community Association (WMCCAI). Marvin has many years of experience in providing risk management services to developers including peer reviews, observations during construction, observations at substantial completion, preclosing observations plus completion of condition assessments, transition studies and managing complex construction projects.
Ethical Responsibilities of Design Professionals in the Current Climate & Beyond
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thical issues rarely have simple solutions and this matter is no easier for an architect nor an engineer than it is for any other professional. A designer’s (architect, engineer and professional consultant)
role and responsibilities during the bidding process is extremely crucial as he or she has a moral, legal and ethical duty to set the tone and convey the principles relevant to the contractual engagement.
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It is therefore essential for design firms to provide training to their employees, educate their clients, and document ethical guidelines, which provide a framework for ethics in decision-making and set a measurable process for navigating future interactions. An ethical code framework enables design professionals to examine the procurement process. From team selection to proper communication with all project partners, ethics should be embedded into the bidding process. An area of ethics, built into a firm’s culture that achieves positive outcomes, focuses on embracing diversity & inclusion. A more recent ethical conversation that community boards, clients, developers, contractors and design professionals are entertaining involves diversity and inclusion. Diversity and inclusion is paramount in the team selection process, as research has shown multiple business and ethical advantages in doing so. Diverse teams include professionals of different genders, ages, races, cultural backgrounds, abilities,
