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Code of Conduct

1. Introduction

The Institute for Systems Engineering (IfSE) promotes and encourage ethical behaviour in the practice of Systems Engineering and related disciplines by all stakeholders. In doing so, IfSE seeks to ensure trust and confidence in the positive contribution that Systems Engineering and systems approaches can make to wider society.

Through its Code of Conduct, IfSE provides guidance and information sources to support members to make decisions and to act in an ethical manner. The Code of Conduct also aims to support members to take an ethical stance when balancing the often-conflicting interests and demands of employers, society and the environment. IfSE aspires to promote the highest standards of conduct, and consequently, its rules are consistent with principles widely accepted amongst leading engineering bodies worldwide and are aligned with the Engineering Council of the UK.

In joining IfSE, all members must agree to abide by the Code of Conduct. Members re-affirm their commitment to the Rules through the annual renewal of their membership. The Code of Conduct is defined by members for members and is reviewed regularly to ensure that it remains relevant.

Responsibility for professional and personal decisions and actions rests with the individual member.

This document provides the Code of Conduct by which all members, Council members, Officers, and Directors of IfSE are obliged to abide. This document comprises three parts:

  • The Code of Conduct of IfSE including the standards required by the UK Engineering Council.
  • An addendum that is specific to Council members, Officers and Directors of IfSE and its subsidiary company INCOSE UK.
  • An addendum that is specific to INCOSE members.

This Code of Conduct applies to all IfSE members, including Directors of the Institute and Advisory Board points of contact.

The Leadership Addendum applies to all Officers, Directors and Council members of IfSE and its subsidiary company INCOSE UK.

The INCOSE Addendum applies to all IfSE members who are also joint members of INCOSE.

Suggestions that the conduct of a member, Council member, Director or Officer has contravened the Code of Conduct (including relevant addendums) are reviewed under the IfSE Disciplinary and Appeals procedures.

2. Institute for Systems Engineering

These rules have been made in accordance with the IfSE Articles of Association and Rulebook. Unless a contrary intention appears, "member" means a member of any category; and "employer" includes "client". Except where inconsistent with the context, words implying the singular shall include the plural, and vice versa, and references to one gender shall include references to each other gender.

IfSE Members are obliged to:

  • Members shall observe the provisions of the current Statement of Ethical Principles published by the Engineering Council and the Royal Academy of Engineering.
  • Members shall uphold the reputation and standing of the Institute.
  • Members shall observe the provisions of the Institute's Articles of Association and any supporting regulations, policies or rules.
  • Members shall keep their knowledge and skills up to date through planned professional development and seek to broaden and deepen that knowledge throughout their working life. Members shall keep adequate records of professional development undertaken. Members shall also encourage persons working under their supervision to do the same.
  • Act with due skill, care and diligence and with proper regard for professional standards.
  • Act in accordance with principles of sustainability and prevent avoidable adverse impact on the environment and society.
  • Maintain and enhance their competence, undertake only professional tasks for which they are competent, and disclose relevant limitations of competence.
  • Accept appropriate responsibility for work carried out by them or under their supervision or direction. Members shall also take all reasonable steps to ensure that persons working under their authority are both suitably equipped and competent to carry out the tasks assigned to them.
  • Encourage others to advance their learning and competence.
  • Do everything in their power to avoid risk to both the physical and cyber security of the IfSE and its member's data; and act in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2016.
  • Observe the proper duties of confidentiality owed to appropriate parties.
  • Reject bribery and all forms of corrupt behaviour; and make positive efforts to ensure others do likewise.
  • Raise concerns about a danger, risk, malpractice or wrongdoing which affects others ('blow the whistle') and support a colleague or any other person to whom they have a duty of care and who in good faith raises any such concern. This includes:
    • any breach of professional obligations; and
    • bribery, fraud or other criminal activity, miscarriages of justice, health and safety risks, damage to the environment and any breach of legal obligations including any act of discrimination (in accordance with the Equality Act 2010).
  • Exemplify professional behaviour in relation to any content that they publish in the public domain, including without limitation articles, blogs and all social media.
  • Assess relevant liability, and if appropriate hold professional indemnity insurance.
  • Notify IfSE if convicted of a criminal offence anywhere in the world, and to provide such information concerning the conviction as the Institution may require. This does not apply to either a conviction for a motoring offence for which no term of imprisonment (either immediate or suspended) is imposed or an offence which is regarded as "spent" within the meaning of The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 or equivalent legislation outside of the UK.
  • Notify IfSE upon becoming bankrupt or disqualified as a Company Director.
  • Notify IfSE if membership of another professional body has been terminated as the result of a disciplinary procedure.
  • Not claim to act on behalf of IfSE, or commit IfSE to any activities, events or third-party agreements, or otherwise expose IfSE to un-planned costs or use of resources without the quorate, minuted agreement of the IfSE Council. Note that this excludes Working, Interest Group or Local Group events that are in accordance with the Groups Policy.
  • Members shall not use designatory letters to which they are not entitled.
    • Members can state that they are a member of the IfSE but members shall not use the IfSE logo, email alias service or the designatory letters in a business capacity or which implies that they are acting on behalf of, or with the authority of, the Institute, except when conducting Institute business in the capacity of an Officer or Director. Members who are given an "ifse.org.uk" email account shall only use it for the purpose for which it is given.
  • All Professional Members have the right to use the post
    • -nominal "MIfSE" – standing for "Member of the Institute for Systems Engineering".
  • All Registered Members have the right to use the post
    • -nominal "MIfSE" – standing for "Member of the Institute for Systems Engineering" to be placed immediately after their registered title post-nominal.
  • All Fellows have the right to use the post
    • -nominal "FIfSE" – standing for "Fellow of the Institute for Systems Engineering.
  • All Honorary Fellows have the right to use the post
    • -nominal "HonFIfSE" – standing for "Honorary Fellow of the Institute for Systems Engineering".
  • Student and Affiliate Members have NO right to use a post-nominal.
  • Notify IfSE of any significant violation of this Code of Conduct by another member.

Addendum for Council Members, and Officers and Directors of the Institute for Systems Engineering and INCOSE UK.

Council members, Officers, and Directors of IfSE and INCOSE UK are formally required to affirm their additional commitment upon acceptance of the role, at the start of any further term and at any transition between roles (e.g., from President Elect to President).

When elected to or accepting a leadership role within IfSE those members must additionally agree to abide by this Addendum for Council Members, Officers and Directors of IfSE. This includes any member who has been appointed into an Assistant Director role through a letter of delegation.

Council members, Directors and Officers of IfSE are additionally obliged to:

  • Commit sufficient time and effort to fulfil the requirements of their role. This includes regular attendance at meetings of IfSE Council
    • (and IfSE and INCOSE UK for the appropriate directors) submission of required reports prior to each Council meeting and timely completion of any activities required for the successful delivery of their responsibilities.
  • Observe the proper duties of confidentiality owed to IfSE Council, INCOSE UK; the Members, Directors and Officers of IfSE and the IfSE Secretariat.
  • Not make any commitments on behalf of IfSE outside of the remit of their role and/or their agreed, assigned budget, without the minuted, quorate agreement of IfSE. This includes events, publications, joint working with third-party organisations, programmes of work, etc.
  • Not make any financial or legal commitments on behalf of IfSE that do not have minuted, quorate agreement of the IfSE Board of Directors unless already within the scope of their agreed, assigned budget.
  • Notify IfSE Council and /or INCOSE UK Directors of any real or perceived conflict of interest; and remind IfSE Council/INCOSE UK of any such conflict if relevant to immediate discussions or agreements.

Addendum for all INCOSE joint members

All IfSE members who are also enrolled as members of INCOSE are additionally obliged to comply with the INCOSE Code of Ethics. The text below is reproduced for convenience from the online version, which can be found here: www.incose.org/about-incose/code-of-ethics. It is recommended that all INCOSE members familiarise themselves with the online version, as in the event of any divergence the online version is considered to be the authoritative version.

This Code is concerned with how certain fundamental imperatives apply to one's conduct as an engineering professional. These imperatives are expressed in a general form to emphasize that principles which apply to engineering ethics are derived from more general ethical principles.

It is understood that some words and phrases in a code of ethics are subject to varying interpretations, and that any ethical principle may conflict with other ethical principles in specific situations. Questions related to ethical conflicts can best be answered by thoughtful consideration of fundamental principles, rather than reliance on detailed regulations.

Preamble

Engineering is a profession that requires its practitioners to be well educated and knowledgeable. Systems Engineering is a unique discipline in that 1) it is highly integrative, spanning elements of many activities, 2) often provides representation of stakeholders' interests other than employer or client, and 3) operates in largely international arenas where value systems, beliefs and customs vary widely. The practice of Systems Engineering can result in significant social and environmental benefits, but only if unintended and undesired effects are considered and mitigated. Fundamental Principles Systems Engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honour, and dignity of the engineering profession by:

  • Being honest and impartial.
  • Maintaining the highest levels of integrity and keeping abreast of the knowledge of their disciplines.
  • Striving to increase the competence and prestige of the engineering profession; and
  • Supporting the educational institutions, the professional societies, and technical societies of their disciplines.

Fundamental Duties to Society and Public Infrastructure

  • Guard the public interest and protect the environment, safety and welfare of those affected by engineering activities and technological artefacts.
  • Accept responsibility for your actions and engineering results, including being open to ethical scrutiny and assessment.
  • Proactively mitigate unsafe practice.
  • Manage risk using knowledge granted by a whole system viewpoint and understanding of systemic interfaces.
  • Promote the understanding, implementation, and acceptance of prudent Systems Engineering measures.

Rules of Practice

  • Act legally, honourably, honestly, justly, and responsibly.
  • Respect, protect, and preserve the intellectual properties of others.
  • Honour all legal contracts and agreements.
  • Treat all constituents fairly.
  • Give prudent advice. Be truthful, objective, and maintain your professional and technical integrity.
  • Provide diligent and competent services to the best of your ability.
  • Respect the trust and the privileges granted to you.
  • Avoid conflicts of interest and the appearance thereof.