Ethics Resource Center, "The Big PLUS in Ethical Decision Making"

SOURCE FOR THE PROCEDURE

THE PROCEDURE ITSELF

1. Defining the problem
   1. Why is a decision necessary?
   2. What do you want or expect?
   3. Does the existing situation violate any of the PLUS considerations?
      • [P] Is it consistent with my organization's policies, procedures and guidelines?
      • [L] Is it acceptable under applicable laws and regulations?
      • [U] Does it conform to the "universal" values (empathy, patience, integrity and courage) my organization has adopted?
      • [S] Does it satisfy my personal definition of right, good and fair?
2. Identifying alternatives
   1. Identify at least 3 alternatives to avoid the trap of two opposing choices.
   2. Try to identify more than 5 alternatives and, ideally, as many solutions as there really are.
3. Evaluating the alternatives
   1. For each alternative, determine the positive and negative consequences that follow.
   2. For each consequence, determine how probable it is that those results will occur.
   3. For each alternative, will it resolve or create any PLUS violations?
      • [P] Is it consistent with my organization's policies, procedures and guidelines?
      • [L] Is it acceptable under applicable laws and regulations?
      • [U] Does it conform to the "universal" values (empathy, patience, integrity and courage) my organization has adopted?
      • [S] Does it satisfy my personal definition of right, good and fair?
   4. Are the ethical tradeoffs acceptable?
4. Making the decision
   1. If deciding alone, select the best alternative.
   2. If working in a team environment, develop consensus on the best alternative.
5. Implementing the decision
6. Evaluating the decision
   1. Is the problem better? worse? the same?
   2. Did the solution create new problems?
   3. Does the resulting situation resolve earlier PLUS considerations and/or introduce new ones?
      • [P] Is it consistent with my organization's policies, procedures and guidelines?
      • [L] Is it acceptable under applicable laws and regulations?
      • [U] Does it conform to the "universal" values (empathy, patience, integrity and courage) my organization has adopted?
      • [S] Does it satisfy my personal definition of right, good and fair?

WALT'S CHECKLIST

• This method is most useful when the DECISION-MAKER ...
  • has easy access to advisors, consultants or role-players [step 4b]
  • has high initial sensitivity to relevant ethical "features" [step 1]
  • has plenty of time for investigation and analysis [step 3]
  • is skilled in causal or consequential reasoning [steps 3a and 3b]
• This method is most useful in a SITUATION ...
  
  • that will change little over time
  • where the decision-maker is also a stakeholder [steps 1b and 4a]
• This method is most useful when STAKEHOLDERS ...
  • share ethical codes or policies [steps using the P of PLUS]
  • share laws and legal precedents [steps using the L of PLUS]
  • share values [steps using the U of PLUS]

Index