Responsibilities to the Customer and to the Public

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The PMP also has a responsibility to the customer of the project and the public. Projects that affect internal customers are expected to meet requirements, standards, and fulfill the business need of the performing organization. Essentially, the PMP is working for the customer.

Projects that serve a community and citizens have a responsibility that’s somewhat tied to public service. The PMP is held accountable for the work completed for the public—and for the transactions, quality of work, and the ethics enforced in the project.

Enforcing Project Management Truth and Honesty

PMPs must represent themselves and their projects truthfully to the general public. This includes statements made in advertising, press releases, and in public forums. When project managers are involved in the creation of estimates truth is also expected. The PMP must provide accurate estimates on time, cost, services to be provided—and realistic outcomes of the project work.

When a project is assigned to the PMP, the project manager has the responsibility to meet the project scope as expected by the customer. PMPs work for the customer and must strive for customer satisfaction while fulfilling the project objectives. As part of the project implementation, the PMP must keep confidential information confidential. There is an obligation to the customer to maintain privacy, confidentiality, and non-disclosure of sensitive information.

Eliminating Inappropriate Actions

A PMP must avoid conflicts of interest and scenarios where conflicts of interest could seem apparent, opportunistic, or questionable to the customer or other stakeholders. In addition, the PMP must not accept any appropriate gifts, inappropriate payments, or any other compensation for favors, project management work, or influence of a project. The exception to this rule is when the laws or customs of the country where the project is being performed call for gifts to the project manager. However, the PMP should be aware of what gifts are acceptable and appropriate within the country where the project is taking place. Lavish gifts outside of the norm should be refused.

Exam Watch

When a project manager is completing a project for another company, the project manager must first conform to the policies of his organization. If his organization does not allow any gifts, then the project manager cannot accept any gifts from the client—even if the customs of the country allow it.

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