Which step is the first in the described ethical decision process?

• A. Define the issue. Is it one of morality, law, company standards, generally accepted behavior, or personal values? This step will also consider why a decision is needed and what is the ideal expected outcome?
• B. Identify the alternatives. There is a tendency to look at decisions as 'either/or'...
• C. Evaluate the alternatives to see which one is the best choice. This may be a decision that provides the greatest good for the most people, or it may not be popular at all, but it is the ethically correct decision to make.
• D. Implement the decision and monitor its effects. After implementation, many important decisions deserve a review process to evaluate the decision and change it if needed.

Answer: (A)

Defining the issue is the first step. It means clearly identifying exactly what ethical question you must answer and noting which standards apply—morality, law, company policy, generally accepted behavior, or personal values. It also involves clarifying why a decision is needed and what the ideal outcome would look like. Framing the problem this way sets the boundaries, helps you consider all relevant factors and stakeholders, and grounds the choice in the applicable rules and values. With the issue clearly defined, you can then generate viable alternatives, evaluate them to find the ethically best option, and finally implement and monitor the decision.