← All questionsGS4 · 2021 · Case Studies — Private Sector ·Project Safety vs Political Deadline
QUESTION 9
GS4
20 marks

You are project manager of an elevated corridor to be completed before state elections. An inspection finds a crack in a pier due to possibly poor material, requiring demolition and reconstruction of three piers and a four-to-six-month delay. The chief engineer orders you to ignore it, citing the minister’s desire for timely inauguration, the contractor’s relation to the minister, and your possible promotion. You believe ignoring the crack risks public safety.(a) What options are available?(b) What ethical dilemmas arise?(c) What professional challenges will you face and how should you respond?(d) What are the consequences of overlooking the inspection?

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14 min
250 words
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What the examiner wants

Explain: answer the exact PYQ as framed — “You are project manager of an elevated corridor to be completed before state elections. An inspection finds a crack in a pier due to possibly poor material, requiring demolition and reconstruction of three piers and a four-to-six-month delay. The chief engine…” Treat each scoring limb separately instead of writing a general note on Project Safety vs Political Deadline.

ExplainMake clear how and why it happens: causes, process, and an example for each point.

Demand-wise check

  1. 1Map the stakeholders, facts, competing obligations and the ethical/public-interest conflict embedded in the case≈65 words
  2. 2Answer each explicit sub-question in the case and compare feasible options using legality, consequences, rights, fairness and integrity≈65 words
  3. 3Choose and justify an implementable course of action, including safeguards, accountability and follow-through≈65 words

Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.

Answer plan

Key facts and stakeholdersEthical/legal issuesRealistic options with consequencesReasoned choiceImplementation safeguards and accountability

Where marks usually go

  • Writing generally about Project Safety vs Political Deadline without directly resolving: “You are project manager of an elevated corridor to be completed before state elections.”
  • Under-developing the second scoring limb: “An inspection finds a crack in a pier due to possibly poor material, requiring demolition and reconstruction of three piers and a four-to-six-month delay.”

Value addition

  • Stakeholder map + options-versus-values decision matrix
    → Draw it in the body, next to the point it supports.

Official source anchors

These are authoritative sources selected for this exact PYQ. Where a card is an official-domain anchor rather than a fact-level citation, verify the precise provision, definition or data point on the linked source before using it.