With over 30 years of systems development and consulting under my belt, I've had a number of similar experiences. The situations are hard on both the consultant and the client, but I've always attempted to consider my client's interests first. As various difficult situations and/or issues arise, I've tried to offer my clients an evaluation of the situation that presents a description of their risks and liabilities, and possible options and/or decisions they need to consider to rectify the situation. Many times, the problem was systemic, that is, the issue was deeply embedded in the project environment and even sometimes ingrained in the business practices of the client, therefore management at the senior or executive level need to be involved in the discussions. Successful remediation of these types of situations will place both you and your client in a better situation. It will also demonstrate your professional business skills beyond technical know-how - valuable assets that will, in the long run, bring more business to your door. Put yourself in your client's position. Wouldn't you want to know if a project was taking a path leading toward disaster? Yes, it is very difficult to stop a freight train running at full tilt to an unavoidable conclusion, but I'd feel better with myself if I at least tried and failed, than to do nothing. When I encounter these kinds of ethical questions, I recall the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster of 1986 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Challenger_disaster), and the engineers that tried to convince NASA management that the o-rings were flawed. As fate would have it, history proved them "right", yet it was a terrible price to pay. Thank you for raising this "out of tech-topic" thread, and thanks to all who offer their insights and opinions in response to it. Patrick D. McAvoy, CEO Information Services Ltd., Inc.