spep5-draft spep template-tf-spep-12-27-29-11 with ......item 8.3 attachment (draft powerpoint)...
TRANSCRIPT
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NSPE-TF ON SPEP - DEC 2011 DRAFT FOR NSPE BOARD REVIEW
NSPE-TF ON SPEP - DEC 2011 DRAFT FOR NSPE BOARD REVIEW
Introduction“Standard of Professionalism in Engineering Practice” is defined as: “The level at which a Professional Engineer should employ specific components of professionalism in their practice.”
What got us here?Perception that there has been an erosion of professionalism in the practice of engineering.Perception that Professional Engineers, and their work product, are not held in high esteem
How does this affect you?What happens to you, to your practice, to public health, safety, and welfare, if Professional Engineers and their work product are not held in high esteem?
Item 8.3 Attachment (Draft PowerPoint)
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Introduction (con’t)
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Introduction (con’t)
Why are other professions considered “more prestigious?”
Why is the perceived prestige of professional engineering fluctuating?
What influences public perception of “prestige?” Pay Status Professionalism
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Three‐Legged StoolProfessionalism in Engineering Practice covers a broad spectrum of elements; however, all these can be summarized into three main concepts:
Standard of CareStandard of PracticeEthics
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Distinguish between Standard of Care, Standard of Practice, and Ethics
Standard of Care: Legal term A “snapshot,” taken by a “camera” operated by the courts, of the Standard of Practice by a “reasonable” engineer in the same locale as the engineer whose work is being questioned, who are doing the same work contemporaneously
Standard of Practice:Describes methods, technology, codes, statutes, etc.
Ethics: System of moral principles
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STANDARD OF CARE (n)
the watchfulness, attention, caution and prudence that a reasonable person in the circumstances would exercise. If a person's actions do not meet this standard of care, then his/her acts fail to meet the duty of care which all people (supposedly) have toward others.
Copyright © 1981‐2005 by Gerald N. Hill and Kathleen T. Hill. All Right reserved.
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Standard of Care – LEGAL DISCLAIMERThe Standard of Care for a specific type of engineering practice is determined through legal proceedings, and in each instance, is tied to a local jurisdiction, a specific time frame, and a specific type of work.NSPE is not now, nor will, through this presentation, or in any other way, “establish” a standard of care for professional engineering, or any engineering discipline.NSPE’s sole intent is to educate Professional Engineers on the terms, and why these concepts are important.Professional Engineers are responsible for developing the appropriate Standard of Care for their practice. This presentation is designed to assist Professional Engineers with tools and resources to do that for themselves.
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Issues with Standard of Care:
Standard of Care is rarely addressed in engineering education courses and curricula.
Formal Professional Engineer mentoring programs are not always available.
Industry exemptions isolate most engineers from Standard of Care training or knowledge.
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Issues with Standard of Care (con’t):Standard of Care is different based upon:
LocationEngineering disciplineIndustryTime and Circumstances
There is a legal process that must be followed in order to determine the Standard of Care, for a given discipline, and that determination is limited to a particular geographic area, restricted to a certain time period, and only applicable to a narrow set of circumstances.
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WHAT IS: “STANDARD OF PRACTICE?”
Standard of practice in engineering is a term that is used to describe the methods, technology, requirements, codes, statutes, protocols, tools, and techniques used to perform engineering work. Included are the methods and standards used to assure quality, and accuracy, such as checking and testing methods.The standard of practice can be determined from universities, industry, professional and technical societies and institutes, codes, regulations, statutes, agency requirementsChanges with technological advancement
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What are: “Ethics”Ethics (n): a set of moral principles; a theory or system of moral values [Merriam‐Webster]
What are they in relation to Professional Engineering?
Are there problems with Ethics in the Engineering Profession? What are the problems?
Ethics influences Standard of Care and Standard of Practice
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What are: “Ethics”
Ethics Refers to principles that define behavior as right, good, and proper. Such principles do not always dictate a since “moral” course of action, but provide a means of evaluating and deciding among competing options.
The terms “ethics” and “values” are not interchangeable. Ethics is concerned with how a moral person should behave, whereas values are the inner judgments that determine how a person actually behaves.
‐From: Making Ethical Decisions ‐ Josephson Institute
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NSPE What does NSPE say regarding Engineering Ethics?
Board of Ethical ReviewStandard of CareStandard of PracticeEthics
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NSPE Code of Ethicshttp://www.nspe.org/Ethics/CodeofEthics/index.htmlThree parts
Fundamental CanonsRules of PracticeProfessional Obligations
Fairly detailed
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NSPE Code of Ethics—Fundamental Canons• Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.
• Perform services in areas of their competence. • Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
• Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.
• Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation and usefulness of the profession.
• http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/CodeofEthics/index.html
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NSPE Board of Ethical ReviewPanel of Engineering Ethics Experts
Seven licensed membersAppointed by NSPE President
http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/BoardofEthicalReview/index.htmlRender impartial opinions grounded in the NSPE Code of Ethics
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Other Sources of Ethics Guidance
National Institute for Engineering EthicsNational Council of Examiners for Engineering and SurveyingOther Engineering Society Codes of EthicsState Code of Ethics or Professional ResponsibilityOwn Moral Code
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NCEES Rules for Professional Conduct
http://www.ncees.orgRules used to test ethics on FE examThree obligations:
To SocietyTo Employer and ClientsTo Other Licensees
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State Code of Ethics or Professional Responsibility
[To be added by the state society sponsoring the education event]
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State Board of Ethics[State to insert ethics examples/opinions/or orders against engineers found violating the rules of professional responsibility of the state]Ethics issues also arise in litigation.
Pelletier v Hodson (Maine)Clarke v Morsilli (Rhode Island)
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Key ConceptsIdentify actual or perceived conflicts earlyUnderstand limitations of licensure and practiceBe respected as an expert in your fieldEnsure compliance with necessary requirementsKey is disclosureKnow what you are doing
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Ethical Questions to Keep In Mind
What I need to do, to do business?What is the right thing to do, to do business?What will influence me while doing business?What will I compromise to do business?What are my personal moral requirements?
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Ethical Considerations‐addressing an opportunity
• Do I have the qualifications ?• Do I fully understand the requirements?• Can I bid a realistic fee to complete the job?• Will I make promises I cannot keep?• If requirement not clear, will I ask questions?• Do I fully expect to deliver on time?• Do I fully expect to deliver on budget?
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Standard of Professionalism vs. My Professionalism
% Above?
% Below
The Std. of Professionalism Bar”
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What Affects the Standard of Professionalism in Engineering Practice
Market Forces
$
Standard of Professionalism
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NSPE‐SPEP Task ForceHow can we determine where the bar is, to make sure that we are practicing at or above it?Who can we ask?Who will mentor us?What resources are available”What about our specific region?
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NSPE‐SPEP Task Force
First step – Learn about Standard of Professionalism
Conduct the NSPE – TF on SPEP Workshop/Panel Discussion in your local region
Other methods
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NSPE – SPEP Task Force – Workshop Panel/DiscussionOUTLINE FOR WORKSHOP PANEL DISCUSSION
Interview agencies and engineers in local region where workshop is being held, to identify needs, and perceptions of needsMail brief survey to engineers and agencies with questions relating to above.Select and solicit the panel (agencies, clients, and engineers).Provide panel with the survey, and assist them in preparing their talk and collect their insight on their answers to the questions. Schedule the workshopSurvey the audience (same questions). Interview the panel (use moderator)Tally and present survey results to audienceAsk “What’s next?Ask: “What’s NSPE’s role?Send result to NSPE Task force, and continue to build national consensus
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NSPE – SPEP Task Force – Workshop Panel/DiscussionSurvey the agencies and public that utilize engineering services, as well as the practicing professional engineers to see what perceived problems there are, if any.
CountyCityDept. of TransportationWater DistrictArmy Corps of EngineersMilitary installationsWater Reclamation District (if applicable)Private sector/industrial users of engineering services
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SYMPOSIUM QUESTIONAIRE –SAMPLE QUESTIONS – BRIEF AND TO THE POINT
The following set of slides are example questions that have been used successfullyParticipants are to record their opinions for discussion later.The goal is to prepare the participants for the participants for the questionnaires to be used in the community.
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SYMPOSIUM QUESTIONAIRE –SAMPLE QUESTIONS1. Do you think the prestige or image of Professional
Engineers in USA has improved or declined in the past 10 years?
Declined Stayed the Same Improved No opinion
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SYMPOSIUM QUESTIONAIRE –SAMPLE QUESTIONS2. What effects “prestige?” Pay Status Professionalism No opinion
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SYMPOSIUM QUESTIONAIRE –SAMPLE QUESTIONS3. Over the past 10 years, do you think that the overall
Standard of Professionalism in Engineering Practice by P.E.s in your area has declined, stayed the same or improved?
Declined Stayed the Same Improved No opinion
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SYMPOSIUM QUESTIONAIRE –SAMPLE QUESTIONS4. How would you rate the current overall “Standard
of Professionalism in Engineering Practice” for P.E.’s in your area?
Poor Adequate Good No opinion
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SYMPOSIUM QUESTIONAIRE –SAMPLE QUESTIONS5. In your opinion, in the last ten years, has the
Standard of Care* in the engineering profession been improving, declining, or remaining the same?
Improving Declining Same No opinion
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SYMPOSIUM QUESTIONAIRE –SAMPLE QUESTIONS6. In your opinion, in the last ten years, is the
Standard of Practice* in the engineering profession improving, declining, or remaining the same?
Improving Declining Same No opinion
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SYMPOSIUM QUESTIONAIRE –SAMPLE QUESTIONS7. In your opinion, in the last ten years, are Ethics in
the engineering profession improving, declining, or remaining the same?
Improving Declining Same No opinion
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SYMPOSIUM QUESTIONAIRE –SAMPLE QUESTIONS8. If you think that the overall “Standard of
Professionalism in Engineering Practice” has been less than adequate or declining, why do you think that this is has occurred?
PE’s not sufficiently involved in supervising other professionals or guiding younger staff
PE’s not thoroughly reviewing plans prior to submission, sometimes missing basic agency requirements
Lack of understanding of appropriate Standard of Professionalism in Engineering Practice
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SYMPOSIUM QUESTIONAIRE –SAMPLE QUESTIONS9. If the professional engineering Standard of
Professionalism in Engineering Practice is a concern, what can be done to improve it?
Staff at appropriate levels Apply learning from past errors Cross‐train & understand constructability of plans Education on appropriate Standard of Professionalism in
Engineering PracticeMore accountability for errors – sometimes associated with
formal disciplinary actions against PE’s
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SYMPOSIUM QUESTIONAIRE –SAMPLE QUESTIONS10. Do you think NSPE should take a more active role
in educating and enhancing “Standard of Professionalism in Engineering Practice” in your area?
Yes No Not sure/ no opinion
CommentsEngineers need to accept responsibilityAll professional organizations should do this, especially
NSPE
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SYMPOSIUM QUESTIONAIRE –SAMPLE QUESTIONS11. What Role Would You Suggest for NSPE to
enhance the “Standard of Professionalism in Engineering Practice”?
Improve communication of agency standards and expectations for submitted work
Emphasize QA/QC
Consultants perform independent review of constructability
Strengthen sanctions for unqualified persons doing engineering work; ie, discipline of PE’s
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What is NSPE National doing?Standard of Care Task force formed Sept 2010. Has worked to clarify distinction between Standard of Care and Standard of PracticeHas begun to develop and collect existing information and resources for use by engineers and engineering societiesExpanded charter and renamed: “Task Force on the Standard of Professionalism in Engineering Practice (SPEP)” in September, 2011In process of developing a white paper and a national template for a workshop/panel discussion about the Standard of Professionalism in Engineering Practice
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What can our Local Chapter and National Society do?
Generate and disseminate more information
Provide definitions & access to resources
Provide expectations for Standard of Professionalism in Engineering Practice, Due Diligence, QA/QC, etc.
Provide access to Agency ChecklistsEducate!! – more workshops
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Other NSPE ResourcesLicensure & Qualifications for Practice CommitteeBoard of Ethical ReviewMentoring Task ForceEngineers Joint Contract Document CommitteePEPP – Professional Liability CommitteeInterest Groups
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Trends affecting Standard of Professionalism in Engineering
PracticeChanging work expectations for engineers
Accountability – Prove that costs reasonably incurred
Sustainability – Incorporate it into design, procurement, construction
Globalization – design work completed to codes and specifications in different country from site
Next Steps…..
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Potential Future WorkshopsWhat does “Standard of Care” mean? How does it affect me, as a Professional Engineer?
If there were a legal case regarding my engineering work, would my practice be found to meet or exceed the minimum Standard of Practice?
Am I “Ethical” in my practice?
Am I in “Responsible Charge?
Audience Recommendations
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In Conclusion…..Standard of Professionalism in Engineering Practice can be described as a three‐legged stool
Standard of CareStandard of PracticeEthics
Engineers shouldLearn and apply what it means in their areas of practiceWork to educate all members of the profession to understand and apply an adequate Standard of Professionalism in Engineering Practice
Attention to these areas WILL improve OUR Standard of Professionalism in Engineering Practice!!