Ethics

2015 IASA Code of Standards

Pre Amble

IT architects preform mission and business focus roles within organizations around the world. The roles, solutions and problems solve by IT Architects impact the ability of organizations, businesses and government to deliver the critical services each provides.

Based on the value of IT Architecture this document contains the initial code of standards by which IT Architects are expected to build, deliver and document the solutions provided for the organizations they work for.

Canon I General Obligations

IT Architects should maintain and advance their knowledge of the art and science of IT Architecture, respect the body of IT Architectural accomplishment, contribute to its growth, thoughtfully consider the social and environmental impact of their professional activities, and exercise learned and uncompromised professional judgment.

1.1 Knowledge and Skill: IT Architects should strive to improve their professional knowledge and skill. Rule In practicing architecture,

1.101 IT Architects shall demonstrate a consistent pattern of reasonable care and competence, and shall apply the technical knowledge and skill which is ordinarily applied by architects of good standing practicing in the same locality. Commentary: By requiring a “consistent pattern” of adherence to the standard of competence, this rule allows for discipline of an IT Architect who more than infrequently does not achieve that standard. Isolated instances of minor lapses would not provide the basis for discipline.

1.102 IT Architects who have achieved an Architectural Certification (CITA – A, CITA – F and CITA-P) shall continue their education with the acquisition of a minimum of 10 hours of classroom training or 10 hours of contribution to the profession (contribute to IASA, ITABoK others).

1.2 Standards of Excellence: IT Architects should continually seek to raise the standards of IT Architecture, IT Architect education, research, training, and practice.

1.3 Natural and Cultural Heritage: IT Architects should respect and help conserve their natural and cultural heritage while striving to improve the environment and the quality of life within it.

1.4 Human Rights: IT Architects should uphold human rights in all their professional endeavors. Rule IT Architects shall not discriminate

1.401 In their professional activities on the basis of race, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, or sexual orientation. 2015 IASA Code of Standards

Canon II Obligations to the IT Architects Client

IT Architects should serve their clients competently and in a professional manner, and should exercise unprejudiced and unbiased judgment when performing all professional services.

2.1 Competence: IT Architects should serve their organizations in a timely and competent manner. Rule In performing professional

2.101 services, IT Architects shall take into account applicable laws and regulations. IT Architects may rely on the advice of other qualified persons as to the intent and meaning of such regulations. Rule IT Architects shall undertake to

2.102 perform professional services only when they, together with those whom they may engage as consultants, are qualified by education, training, or experience in the specific technical areas involved. Commentary: This rule is meant to ensure that IT Architects not undertake projects that are beyond their professional capacity. IT Architects venturing into areas that require expertise they do not possess may obtain that expertise by additional education, training, or through the retention of consultants with the necessary expertise. Rule IT Architects shall not materially

2.103 alter the scope or objectives of a project without the organization’s consent.

2.2 Conflict of Interest: IT Architects should avoid conflicts of interest in their professional practices and fully disclose all unavoidable conflicts as they arise. Rule an IT Architect shall not render

2.201 professional services if the IT Architect’s professional judgment could be affected by responsibilities to another project or person, or by the IT Architect’s own interests, unless all those who rely on the IT Architect’s judgment consent after full disclosure. Commentary: This rule is intended to embrace the full range of situations that may present an IT Architect with a conflict between his interests or responsibilities and the interest of others. Those who are entitled to disclosure may include a client, owner, employer, contractor, or others who rely on or are affected by the IT Architect’s professional decisions. An IT Architect who cannot appropriately communicate about a conflict directly with an affected person must take steps to ensure that disclosure is made by other means. Rule When acting by agreement of the

2.202 parties as the independent interpreter of contract documents and the judge of contract performance, IT Architects shall render decisions impartially. Commentary: This rule applies when the IT Architect, though paid by the owner and owing the owner loyalty, is nonetheless required to act with impartiality in fulfilling the architect’s professional responsibilities.

2.3 Candor and Truthfulness: IT Architects should be candid and truthful in their professional communications and keep their clients reasonably informed about the clients’ projects. Rule IT Architects shall not intentionally

2.301 Or recklessly mislead existing or prospective clients about the results that can be achieved through the use of the IT Architects’ services, nor shall the IT Architects state that they can achieve results by means that violate applicable law or this Code. Commentary: This rule is meant to preclude dishonest, reckless, or illegal representations by an IT Architect either in the course of soliciting a client or during performance.

2.4 Confidentiality: IT Architects should safeguard the trust placed in them by their organizations. Rule IT Architects shall not knowingly

2.401 disclose information that would adversely affect their client or that they have been asked to maintain in confidence, except as otherwise allowed or required by this Code or applicable law. Commentary: To encourage the full and open exchange of information necessary for a successful professional relationship, IT Architects must recognize and respect the sensitive nature of confidential client communications. Because the law does not recognize an architect-client privilege, however, the rule permits an IT Architect to reveal a confidence when a failure to do so would be unlawful or contrary to another ethical duty imposed by this Code.

Canon III Obligations to the profession IT Architecture

IT Architects should uphold the integrity and dignity of the profession.

3.1 Honesty and Fairness: IT Architects should pursue their professional activities with honesty and fairness. Rule IT Architects having substantial

3.101 information which leads to a reasonable belief that another IT Architect has committed a violation of this Code which raises a serious question as to that IT Architect’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as an IT Architect, shall file a complaint with the National Ethics Council commonly known as the Board of Directors Ethics Committee. Commentary: Often, only an architect can recognize that the behavior of another architect poses a serious question as to that other’s professional integrity. In those circumstances, the duty to the professional’s calling requires that a complaint be filed. In most jurisdictions, a complaint that invokes professional standards is protected from a libel or slander action if the complaint was made in good faith. If in doubt, an IT Architect should seek counsel before reporting on another under this rule. Rule IT Architects shall not sign or seal

3.102 drawings, specifications, reports, or other professional work for which they do not have responsible control. Commentary: Responsible control means the degree of knowledge and supervision ordinarily required by the professional standard of care. With respect to the work of licensed consultants, IT Architects may sign or seal such work if they have reviewed it, coordinated its preparation, or intend to be responsible for its adequacy. Rule IT Architects speaking in their

3.103 professional capacity shall not knowingly make false statements of material fact. Commentary: This rule applies to statements in all professional contexts, including applications for licensure and AIA IT Architecture.

3.2 Dignity and Integrity: IT Architects should strive, through their actions, to promote the dignity and integrity of the profession, and to ensure that their representatives and employees conform their conduct to this Code. Rule IT Architects shall not make

3.201 misleading, deceptive, or false statements or claims about their professional qualifications, experience, or performance and shall accurately state the scope and nature of their responsibilities in connection with work for which they are claiming credit. Commentary: This rule is meant to prevent IT Architects from claiming or implying credit for work which they did not do, misleading others, and denying other participants in a project their proper share of credit. Rule IT Architects shall make reasonable

3.202 efforts to ensure that those over whom they have supervisory authority conform their conduct to this Code. Commentary: What constitutes “reasonable efforts” under this rule is a common sense matter. As it makes sense to ensure that those over whom the 2015 IT Architect code of standards an architect exercising supervision be made generally aware of the Code, it can also make sense to bring a particular provision to the attention of a particular employee when a situation is present which might give rise to violation.

CANON IV Obligations to Colleagues IT Architects should respect the rights and acknowledge the professional aspirations and contributions of their colleagues.

4.1 Professional Environment: IT Architects should provide their associates and employees with a suitable working environment, compensate them fairly, and facilitate their professional development.

4.2 Intern and Professional Development: IT Architects should recognize and fulfill their obligation to nurture fellow professionals as they progress through all stages of their career, beginning with professional education in the academy, progressing through internship and continuing throughout their career. Rule IT Architects who have agreed to

4.201 work with individuals engaged in an architectural internship program or an experience requirement for licensure shall reasonably assist in proper and timely documentation in accordance with that program.

4.3 Professional Recognition: IT Architects should build their professional reputation on the merits of their own service and performance and should recognize and give credit to others for the professional work they have performed. Rule IT Architects shall recognize and

4.301 respect the professional contributions of their employees, employers, professional colleagues, and business associates. Rule IT Architects leaving a firm shall

4.302 not, without the permission of their employer or partner, take designs, drawings, data, reports, notes, or other materials relating to the firm’s work, whether or not performed by the IT Architect. Rule an IT Architect shall not

4.303 unreasonably withhold permission from a departing employee or partner to take copies of designs, drawings, data, reports, notes, or other materials relating to work performed by the employee or partner that are not confidential. Commentary: An IT Architect may impose reasonable conditions, such as the payment of copying costs, on the right of departing persons to take copies of their work.