Engineering Excellence through Strategic Team Management

Imran Parvez; Osama Desouky; Marwa AbdelGawad

Download Paper | Permalink

Conference: 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Publication Date: June 22, 2025
Start Date: June 22, 2025
End Date: August 15, 2025
Conference Session: Tools, Identities, and Personality in Engineering Education
Tagged Division: Student Division (STDT)
Page Count: 2
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/56378
Download Count: 2

Paper Authors

biography

Imran Parvez Texas A&M University at Qatar

visit author page

I am a final-year mechanical engineering student at Texas A&M University in Qatar, and currently the Team Manager for the Shell Eco-marathon (SEM) 2025 team. While I have successfully led other organizations, this is my first time leading the SEM team. I bring two years of experience to this team, where I have focused on body design for the competition. My background in leadership, combined with hands-on experience in vehicle aerodynamics and lightweight construction, has equipped me to guide this multidisciplinary team.

visit author page

biography

Osama Desouky Texas A&M University at Qatar

visit author page

Osama Desouky is a Technical Laboratory coordinator at Texas A&M University in Qatar. Osama is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in interdisciplinary engineering from Texas A&M University at College Station. He is responsible for assisting with experimental method courses, 3D printing, mechanics of materials, material science, senior design projects, and advanced materials classes. Osama’s professional interests include manufacturing technology, materials science, 3D printing, experiments, and product design,

visit author page

biography

Marwa AbdelGawad Hamad Bin Khalifa University orcid.org/0000-0003-0561-0994

visit author page

Dr. Marwa AbdelGawad joined Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) as an Assistant Professor of Practice. She earned her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University, College Station, TX where her research was focused on examining the impact of microstructure on the corrosion response and mechanical integrity of magnesium alloys used in biomedical applications, specifically orthopedic implants.

Dr. AbdelGawad's interests are centered around materials and manufacturing, with a strong focus on corrosion of light metal alloys. With an extensive teaching background spanning over 10 years, she has developed a keen interest in advancing innovation in engineering education. At present, she actively explores various methods to enhance student engagement and optimize their learning experiences through curriculum and course design.

Her primary teaching objective is to foster a lifelong learning mindset in her students by promoting critical thinking and problem-based learning. Dr. AbdelGawad’s teaching philosophy integrates real-life ethical dilemmas to encourage students to think deeply, challenge their opinions, and integrate ethics into their coursework to help shape them into successful, professional and socially responsible engineers.

visit author page

Download Paper | Permalink

Abstract

Presented here is a case study examining the implementation of team management strategies within Texas A&M University in Qatar's Shell Eco-Marathon (SEM) team. The team faced the dual challenge of budget constraints and a significantly reduced preparation period of only six months after a year marked by setbacks and unsuccessful competition results. To address these issues, a systematic planning procedure was started right away following the last competition, with an emphasis on recording previous errors and pinpointing areas where team dynamics and project management needed to be improved.

As a new leadership team, consultations were made with past board members of the SEM team and graduate student leaders known for their leadership abilities. Their perspectives offered insightful strategies and contextual knowledge that were tailored to the specific requirements of the SEM team. The importance of selectively applying external advice to align with team objectives was emphasized, contributing to a more effective and tailored management approach.

The new strategy focused on a performance-based selection process, inspired by sports management principles, to build a capable and accountable team. By setting high standards for performance, only those members who consistently met these expectations remained on the main team, while others were reassigned or replaced. This approach fostered a culture of accountability and continuous improvement within the team. Additionally, a reserve team, composed primarily of freshmen, was established to ensure project continuity. Unlike in previous years, where the main and reserve teams had equal status, the new structure differentiated responsibilities clearly, enabling the core team to focus on high-priority tasks while the reserve team engaged in learning and support roles.

A systematic workload distribution process was implemented to maximize efficiency during the shortened preparation period. Using Microsoft Planner, tasks were assigned equally among board members, with progress monitored through statistical tracking. This ensured an even distribution of responsibilities and provided each member with a clear understanding of their role. A separate document was created to outline the specific duties of each board member, such as those of the off-track lead responsible for non-technical tasks. This clarity facilitated smoother operations and minimized the need for role-based reminders, thereby enhancing overall accountability within the team.

To maintain momentum and engagement, the team employed a strategy of frequent updates, utilizing shorter deadlines and smaller tasks. This approach promoted regular feedback opportunities, allowing potential issues to be addressed promptly. Furthermore, team members were encouraged to substantiate new design proposals with scientific research, which enhanced decision-making processes and ensured alignment with established engineering principles.

Within just two months, these strategies enabled the team to achieve substantial progress, reaching milestones that previously required eight months to accomplish. This case study illustrates how structured planning, adaptive leadership, and a focus on accountability can significantly enhance the performance and cohesion of a student-led engineering team.

Citation
Format

Parvez, I., & Desouky, O., & AbdelGawad, M. (2025, June), Engineering Excellence through Strategic Team Management Paper presented at 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition , Montreal, Quebec, Canada . https://peer.asee.org/56378

TY - CPAPER
AB - Presented here is a case study examining the implementation of team management strategies within Texas A&amp;amp;M University in Qatar&#39;s Shell Eco-Marathon (SEM) team. The team faced the dual challenge of budget constraints and a significantly reduced preparation period of only six months after a year marked by setbacks and unsuccessful competition results. To address these issues, a systematic planning procedure was started right away following the last competition, with an emphasis on recording previous errors and pinpointing areas where team dynamics and project management needed to be improved.

As a new leadership team, consultations were made with past board members of the SEM team and graduate student leaders known for their leadership abilities. Their perspectives offered insightful strategies and contextual knowledge that were tailored to the specific requirements of the SEM team. The importance of selectively applying external advice to align with team objectives was emphasized, contributing to a more effective and tailored management approach.

The new strategy focused on a performance-based selection process, inspired by sports management principles, to build a capable and accountable team. By setting high standards for performance, only those members who consistently met these expectations remained on the main team, while others were reassigned or replaced. This approach fostered a culture of accountability and continuous improvement within the team. Additionally, a reserve team, composed primarily of freshmen, was established to ensure project continuity. Unlike in previous years, where the main and reserve teams had equal status, the new structure differentiated responsibilities clearly, enabling the core team to focus on high-priority tasks while the reserve team engaged in learning and support roles.

A systematic workload distribution process was implemented to maximize efficiency during the shortened preparation period. Using Microsoft Planner, tasks were assigned equally among board members, with progress monitored through statistical tracking. This ensured an even distribution of responsibilities and provided each member with a clear understanding of their role. A separate document was created to outline the specific duties of each board member, such as those of the off-track lead responsible for non-technical tasks. This clarity facilitated smoother operations and minimized the need for role-based reminders, thereby enhancing overall accountability within the team.

To maintain momentum and engagement, the team employed a strategy of frequent updates, utilizing shorter deadlines and smaller tasks. This approach promoted regular feedback opportunities, allowing potential issues to be addressed promptly. Furthermore, team members were encouraged to substantiate new design proposals with scientific research, which enhanced decision-making processes and ensured alignment with established engineering principles.

Within just two months, these strategies enabled the team to achieve substantial progress, reaching milestones that previously required eight months to accomplish. This case study illustrates how structured planning, adaptive leadership, and a focus on accountability can significantly enhance the performance and cohesion of a student-led engineering team.
AU - Imran Parvez
AU - Osama Desouky
AU - Marwa AbdelGawad
CY - Montreal, Quebec, Canada
DA - 2025/06/22
PB - ASEE Conferences
TI - Engineering Excellence through Strategic Team Management
UR - https://peer.asee.org/56378
ER -