Ethics in design functions in real estate and hospitality service - An overview

Welcome to the blog on Ethical Processes in Business

The word “ethics” refers to the moral principles or values that enable us to do the right things. In a broader sense, ethics include integrity, objectivity, professional competence, confidentiality, and professional behaviour. Any compromise in ethics can lead to adverse implications for the organization. 

This blog is a supplement to my first book on “Ethics in the Real Estate Industry” which is expected to be launched soon. In the first volume of the book, three design functions - Architectural design, Interior design, and MEP services have been analysed from an ethical perspective. For this purpose, we have considered 91 key processes and tabulated 916 key business activities in each of three design functions that, which if not performed diligently and professionally, can hurt the organization /can adversely impact business.

Type of activities	Design of Architect	Design of Interiors	Design of MEP	Combined for 3 functions
Core activities - 292
Core Design	116	63	69	248
Statutory	18	12	14	44
Subtotal	134	75	83	292
Essential supporting activities - 282
Making Configuration tables	4	4	4	12
Making master data tables	4	4	4	12
Risk assessment	47	47	47	141
Assigning access rights	39	39	39	117
Subtotal	94	94	94	282
Other supporting activities - 342
Designer's traceability	3	3	3	9
Audit trails of designer's activities	2	2	2	6
Coding schemes	14	14	14	42
Document management systems-Hard-Designs & Drawings	12	12	12	36
Document management systems-soft-Designs & drawings	8	8	8	24
Budgeting for designers	11	11	11	33
MIS/Dashboard for designers	14	14	14	42
SOP for designers	8	8	8	24
Financial approvals	16	16	16	48
Core documents	6	6	6	18
Statutory documents	7	7	7	21
Functional manuals	3	3	3	9
Similar type	3	3	3	9
Key performance indicators-Designers	7	7	7	21
Subtotal	114	114	114	342
Grand total of Activities	342	283	291	916

The adverse impacts have been categorized as any one of three types below or a combination thereof and marked as ① or ② or ③

① Quality of design or quality of construction or project costs or customer satisfaction or revenue of the company as relevant.

② Statutory or regulatory compliances

③ Efficiency or effectiveness of the design process

A comprehensive list of these activities and their impact is available in the handbook – “Ethics in the Real Estate and Hospitality Industry – Volume 1”