Conduct Rules Ethics and Professional Standards Flashcards
What are the RICS Rules of Conduct, and why are they important?
The RICS Rules of Conduct set out professional and ethical standards for members and firms to ensure integrity, accountability, and public trust in the industry.
Can you outline the key areas covered by the RICS Rules of Conduct?
The five key areas are:
Acting with integrity
Providing a high standard of service
Acting in a way that promotes trust in the profession
Treating others with respect
Taking responsibility
How do the RICS Rules of Conduct apply to your daily work as a Quantity Surveyor?
They guide my interactions with clients, colleagues, and stakeholders, ensuring professionalism, transparency, and ethical decision-making in all aspects of my role.
What are the consequences of breaching the RICS Rules of Conduct?
Breaches can lead to disciplinary action, reputational damage, loss of RICS membership, and legal consequences depending on the severity of the breach.
How do the RICS Rules of Conduct promote trust within the industry?
By ensuring professionals act with integrity, provide high standards of service, and comply with ethical and legal responsibilities, which reassures clients and stakeholders.
What are the five ethical principles promoted by RICS?
Honesty: Being truthful and transparent.
Integrity: Acting in the best interests of clients and the profession.
Competence: Maintaining high standards of knowledge and skill.
Service: Providing quality service to clients.
Respect and Responsibility: Treating everyone fairly and ensuring professional accountability.
How do you demonstrate integrity in your professional work?
By being honest with clients, declaring conflicts of interest, and ensuring that my advice is always impartial and based on factual information.
What does the principle of competence mean in the context of RICS ethics?
It means maintaining up-to-date knowledge, continuously developing skills, and ensuring work is completed to a professional standard.
Why is it important to provide a high standard of service to clients?
To maintain trust, meet professional obligations, and ensure the best outcomes for clients while upholding RICS standards.
Can you give an example of how you apply the principle of respect and responsibility in your role?
By treating colleagues and clients with fairness, promoting an inclusive working environment, and ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards.
What should you do if you identify a potential conflict of interest?
I would disclose the conflict to all relevant parties, seek guidance if needed, and ensure transparency to prevent any ethical breach.
How would you handle a situation where a client pressures you to act unethically?
I would explain my professional obligations under the RICS Rules of Conduct, refuse to act unethically, and report the matter if necessary.
What is your responsibility if you witness unethical behaviour in the workplace?
I would report the issue to my manager or compliance team, ensuring it is addressed in line with company policies and RICS regulations.
Why is impartiality important in your role as a Quantity Surveyor?
To ensure fairness in cost assessments, maintain trust with clients and stakeholders, and comply with ethical and professional standards.
What actions would you take if you made an error in your professional work?
I would report the mistake immediately, rectify it as soon as possible, and implement measures to prevent recurrence.
Why is CPD important for RICS professionals?
It ensures that professionals maintain and develop their knowledge and skills, keeping them competent and up to date with industry standards.
What are the CPD requirements set by RICS?
Members must complete at least 20 hours of CPD per year, with at least 10 hours being formal learning (e.g., training courses, webinars).
Can you provide an example of a CPD activity you have undertaken?
I attended an internal webinar on Mace’s benchmarking data, which enhanced my understanding of cost management processes.
What is the difference between formal and informal CPD?
Formal CPD: Structured learning, such as courses, seminars, or qualifications.
Self-directed learning, such as reading industry articles or attending networking events.
How do you ensure that your CPD activities align with your professional development needs?
I assess my knowledge gaps, set learning objectives, and choose CPD activities that enhance my competencies and career progression.
What would you do if a client asked you to manipulate a cost estimate to secure project funding?
I would refuse, explaining that it would breach RICS ethical standards and could have legal implications. I would also report any unethical behaviour.
If a colleague acted dishonestly on a project, how would you respond?
I would raise the issue with my manager or compliance team, ensuring it was addressed appropriately while maintaining confidentiality.
How would you handle a situation where a contractor offered you a gift or incentive to approve their payment early?
I would decline the gift, report the incident, and remind the contractor that accepting such incentives would breach ethical and professional standards.
What would you do if you discovered a miscalculation in a cost report after submitting it to the client?
I would notify the client immediately, correct the error, and implement checks to prevent similar mistakes in the future.
If you were asked to work on a project outside your area of expertise, how would you proceed?
I would seek guidance from a more experienced colleague or undertake CPD to develop the necessary knowledge before proceeding.
How do the RICS ethical principles align with your personal values?
They reinforce my commitment to honesty, integrity, and professionalism, ensuring I act in the best interest of clients and the industry.
Why is it important for professionals to act with transparency?
Transparency builds trust with clients and stakeholders, prevents misunderstandings, and upholds the reputation of the profession.
How do the RICS Rules of Conduct differ from company policies?
The RICS Rules of Conduct provide a global professional framework, while company policies are specific to an organisation’s internal operations.
What is the role of the RICS disciplinary process?
It ensures members are held accountable for breaches of professional standards and maintains public trust in the profession.
How do you apply ethical decision-making in your daily role?
I ensure my work is transparent, fair, and compliant with RICS guidelines, always considering the best interests of the client and profession.
How do you apply the RICS ethical principles in your daily work?
I ensure honesty and integrity in all my dealings, provide competent and high-quality service, respect colleagues and clients, and take responsibility for my professional actions.
Can you provide an example of a situation where you had to make an ethical decision on a project?
(Example) A contractor submitted a claim for additional work that was not contractually justified. I carefully reviewed the documentation, consulted the contract terms, and advised the client to reject the claim to maintain fairness and integrity.
How do you ensure professionalism when communicating with clients and stakeholders?
By using clear, transparent, and respectful language, keeping records of important communications, and following company and RICS guidelines on ethical conduct.
What steps do you take to maintain professionalism when attending meetings?
I prepare thoroughly, ensure my input is factual and relevant, listen actively, respect differing opinions, and follow up with clear documentation of key discussions.
How do you ensure professional conduct when visiting construction sites?
I follow site health and safety protocols, maintain respectful communication with all stakeholders, and ensure my role is carried out impartially and ethically.
How has completing the RICS Professionalism Module helped you in practice?
It reinforced my understanding of ethical obligations, professional behaviour, and the importance of maintaining trust in the profession.
Can you explain how the RICS Rules of Conduct apply to your role as a Quantity Surveyor?
They guide my interactions with clients, ensure I act impartially in cost assessments, and require me to uphold integrity, competence, and professional accountability.
What would you do if a client asked you to manipulate a cost estimate to secure funding?
I would refuse, explaining that it would breach RICS ethical standards, and I would advise them on alternative, compliant ways to present cost information.
How do you handle situations where professional obligations conflict with client demands?
I assess the situation against RICS ethical principles, explain the implications of non-compliance to the client, and ensure my actions remain within professional and legal boundaries.
What measures do you take to ensure transparency in your work?
By maintaining clear records, providing honest and unbiased advice, and ensuring all project stakeholders have access to accurate and verifiable information.
What would you do if you witnessed unethical behaviour on a project?
I would document the incident, report it to my manager or compliance officer, and ensure the issue was addressed in line with company policies and RICS regulations.
If a contractor offered you a gift or incentive to approve a valuation, how would you respond?
I would decline the offer, explain that it breaches professional ethics, and report the incident if necessary to maintain transparency.
How do you handle conflicts of interest in your work?
I disclose any potential conflicts to all relevant parties, ensure transparency in my actions, and, if necessary, step away from situations where impartiality is compromised.
What would you do if a colleague pressured you to approve an unjustified payment?
I would refuse, explain the contractual and ethical implications, and escalate the issue to senior management if necessary.
How do you ensure impartiality when dealing with multiple stakeholders on a project?
By basing decisions on factual data, maintaining open communication, and ensuring my actions align with professional and contractual obligations.
How do you keep up to date with changes in RICS conduct rules and ethical standards?
By completing CPD activities, attending RICS webinars, reading industry publications, and engaging in professional discussions.
What CPD activities have you completed that relate to ethics and professional practice?
I have completed the RICS Professionalism Module and attended company training on ethical decision-making in project management.
Why is CPD important for maintaining ethical and professional standards?
CPD ensures that professionals stay up to date with best practices, legal requirements, and ethical expectations in an evolving industry.
How do you ensure ethical considerations are integrated into cost management and project decision-making?
By maintaining accuracy in cost reporting, ensuring fairness in valuations, and providing clients with unbiased and honest advice.
What lessons have you learned from applying ethics in real-life scenarios?
I have learned that clear communication, transparency, and adherence to professional standards help resolve ethical dilemmas effectively and maintain trust with clients and colleagues.
If a subcontractor approached you directly to discuss an issue without going through the main contractor, what would you do?
I would remind them of the contractual hierarchy, inform the main contractor of the issue, and ensure all communication follows proper procedures.
How would you react if a client insisted on bypassing a procurement procedure to speed up project delivery?
I would explain the risks and ethical implications, advise on compliant alternatives, and refuse to proceed with any action that breaches regulations.
What would you do if a junior colleague sought your advice on an ethical dilemma?
I would listen to their concern, guide them based on RICS ethical principles, and support them in making the correct decision.
If you discovered a miscalculation in a project valuation after submission, how would you handle it?
I would notify the client immediately, correct the error, and document the revised valuation to maintain transparency.
What would you do if a contractor submitted an inflated variation claim that you suspected was unjustified?
I would analyse the claim against the contract terms, request supporting evidence, and recommend adjustments based on factual data.
Why is ethical decision-making critical in construction and quantity surveying?
It ensures trust, compliance with legal requirements, and the long-term success of projects by maintaining fair and transparent practices.
How do professional ethics help protect clients and stakeholders?
Ethics ensure clients receive accurate advice, protect against fraudulent activities, and maintain industry-wide confidence in professional services.
How do ethical considerations influence procurement decisions?
Ethical procurement ensures fairness, prevents corruption, and maintains competitive transparency in supplier selection.
How can unethical behaviour impact a projects success?
It can lead to disputes, reputational damage, financial losses, and even legal consequences for those involved.
How do you balance commercial pressures with ethical responsibilities?
By ensuring that all decisions comply with RICS standards, communicating clearly with clients about ethical constraints, and maintaining professional integrity.
