Question

Andrew, a highly qualified and experienced software developer, has just started work with a government health department on a project that has been underway for about 9 months. He is replacing a novice developer who has decided to move on to a new project with another organisation. Even though the current system is incomplete, it has is being used with 'live' data. On analysing what's been done so far, Andrew discovers that the system is poorly designed and is riddled with bugs due to the former developer's lack of expertise, and that the choice of technologies are incompatible with the department's infrastructure, leading to corruptions and loss of financial data on a daily basis. In fact, much of Andrew's time is initially spent unsuccessfully attempting to recover corrupted data. His vast experience leads him to the conclusion that the system is so unstable that it will eventually corrupt beyond repair and that all its data will become unrecoverable. He therefore advises the supervisor of his findings and recommends that the system be redeveloped using appropriate technologies and quality control measures. He indicates that the entire redevelopment effort will take less than 6 weeks. The supervisor rejects Andrew's recommendation, stating that their IT Department will not agree to a change in technology, and directs Andrew to complete the project using the existing technologies. What should Andrew do?

Q1. What are the ethical issues and implications?

Q2. What can be done about it?

Q3. What are the options?

Q4. Which option is best - and why?

Answer 1

An ethical issue is a problem where one needs to make a choice that is right or wrong. At this point it is visible that someone has done something wrong with the newly developed data system which is incompatible with the department’s infrastructure, might cause corruption and loss of financial data that is stored daily which will result in data loss which will be unrecoverable.

Everyone is responsible for the project which will affect the entire department if developed as it is. Continuing to develop won’t be a best option but it could either be scrapped or redeveloped completely because if something goes wrong, Andrew will be responsible although the other person who developed it badly is responsible.

There are two options either redevelop the project or continue with the existing one which would cause great problem to all the stakeholders.

Redeveloping the project will be the best choice although would take another six months to do it.