SPEP5-DRAFT SPEP Template-TF-SPEP-12-27-29-11 with ......Item 8.3 Attachment (Draft PowerPoint) 12/30/2011 NSPE-TF ON SPEP - DEC 2011 DRAFT FOR NSPE BOARD REVIEW Introduction (con’t)

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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)


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


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.


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.


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


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


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


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


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


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)


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?


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”


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?


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


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.


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


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


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?



SYMPOSIUM QUESTIONAIRE –SAMPLE QUESTIONS7. In your opinion, in the last ten years, are Ethics in

the engineering profession improving, declining, or remaining the same?


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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


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


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


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


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


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!!

Documents

SPEP5-DRAFT SPEP Template-TF-SPEP-12-27-29-11 with ......Item 8.3 Attachment (Draft PowerPoint) 12/30/2011 NSPE-TF ON SPEP - DEC 2011 DRAFT FOR NSPE BOARD REVIEW Introduction (con’t)