The goal of a Code of Ethics and Professional Practice for Project Managers is to define the ethical duties and best professional practices for Localization Project Managers. As a relatively new profession, defining the ethical and professional responsibilities of those bearing this title will help to set standards in the profession.
Localization Project Managers often must work with confidential information, frequently in languages they cannot read, and often have to work with team members, talent, and clients from a wide range of cultures, and these particular issues must be addressed in a code of ethics and professional practice.
- Localization Project Managers should take all necessary steps to retain the confidentiality of their clients and their clients’ data. They should do their best to make sure that talent will not violate NDAs or the like by doing a thorough check during the onboarding stage or communicating with Talent Management to ensure that said check has been completed.
- To that end, Localization Project Managers must follow data security best practices. They should make sure that the data security standards outlined in ISO/IEC 27001:2013, Information Technology Security Techniques, have been implemented and are being followed, both by themselves and their team members and vendors. They should also be in compliance with data security and privacy laws in all regions in which they conduct business.
- Localization Project Managers should be culturally aware and develop intercultural competency skills. They should know how to work with people of different cultures and how to produce an end result that will work for their target culture.
- They should follow, and make sure their teams follow ISO 21500:2012, Guidance on Project Management, ISO 9001:2015, Quality Management; ISO 31000:2018, Risk Management; and ISO 17100:2015, Requirements on Translation Services. This will ensure standardization of best practices.
- Localization Project Managers should maintain business ethics. They should practice fairly in relation to the competition, and maintain the appropriate level of honesty with clients. They should make every effort to pay talent within the agreed upon time limit, and deliver projects to client by the deadline.
- In a similar vein, Localization Project Managers must be realistic about the scope of a project. They should not make promises to clients they cannot keep and they need to keep the scope of their projects to a feasible level. Localization Project Management should also ensure that the quality of the work being delivered is consistently high and meeting stakeholders’ needs.