Members shall treat information that comes to them during their assignments as what?

The correct answer is that members shall treat information that comes to them during their assignments as confidential. This emphasizes the ethical responsibility of professionals in the field of cost management and project management. Treating information as confidential means that members are expected to safeguard sensitive information and only disclose it to authorized parties. This practice is crucial for maintaining trust and integrity in professional relationships, as well as for compliance with legal and contractual obligations.

Confidentiality is a key principle that aligns with the standards of conduct expected from professionals. By handling information with discretion, members contribute to protecting the interests of their clients, employers, and stakeholders, thereby upholding the professional ethos of the AACE community.

In various professional contexts, classifying information as public, optional, or proprietary could lead to misunderstanding, breaches of trust, or potential legal issues. Therefore, the correct approach is to routinely regard information obtained during assignments as confidential, ensuring that it is managed appropriately.