A robotics company engages an IT firm to deliver a marketing software solution. During the project, the robotics company asks for additional features that were not in the initial contract. The IT firm's project leader is unsure whether it can deliver these features but verbally agrees to the scope change. On delivery, the robotics company notes that several of the additional features are not included and that because of this, the solution is not compatible with certain legacy systems the company did not initially disclose.
Which factor might have mitigated the problem if the IT firm's project leader had abided by a professional code of ethics?