1st Edition
Team Intelligence A New Method Using Swarm Intelligence for Building Successful Teams
If you have wondered about mesmerizing patterns of flying birds and fish, and asked how they do it, then you have observed what biologists refer to as an intelligent swarm. It is as if the members of swarm are receiving commands on what to do. It is magic! In reality, it is an intriguing set of behaviors that many species including birds, fish, bats, wolves, honeybees, termites and many others have learnt during their millions of years of evolution, which has enabled them to succeed better and sustain their lives.
We have learned and applied our learning from nature, and have been inspired to invent many things we use from this fabulous source: Mother Nature! The question that led to long research and this book is set to answer, might be strange and unique: Can we use nature for managing people and teams in companies? After all, social beings in nature seem to be able function very well, and recent research has revealed great approaches they take to make decisions, and work together.
This book opens that exact interdisciplinary field, a bridge between managing teams and people in companies with how similar problems are solved in intelligent swarms. The research supporting this idea has led to a set of principles that will transform traditional teams into Intelligent Teams. These teams are capable of bringing performance, learning, and happiness of the team members to a new high level.
Table Of Contents
Part 1
Teamwork
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Self-Organization/Self-Management
Chapter 3: Standing on the shoulders of giants
Part 2
Self-managed teams and Intelligent Swarms
Chapter 4: Self-managed teams
Chapter 5: Understanding Decisions in Teams
Chapter 6: Intelligent Swarms
Part 3
The Research
Chapter 7: Research: Data Gathering and Analysis
Chapter 8: Research Results and Conclusions
Part 4
Intelligent Team Toolkit
Chapter 9: Setting up an Intelligent Team – A change in mindset and organization
Chapter 10: From Manager/Team Lead to Facilitator
Chapter 11: Decision-making
Chapter 12: Benchmarking
Biography
Mohammad is a passionate, energetic, and seasoned scholar-practitioner, researcher, author, and professor. A result-oriented expert that has led and managed strategy development, organizational transformations, implementation, delivery and maintenance of technology solution with more than 25 years of proven record of service excellence. A software engineer and computer scientist by education, Mohammad holds an MBA degree in Leadership with Honors and Distinction from the University of Liverpool. His academic education culminated in a Ph.D. in Management, Information Systems from Walden University, where he pioneered a new interdisciplinary field using biomimicking of intelligent swarms and management of teams. As an effective collaborator and network builder, Mohammad is resilient, persuasive, and sensitive to situations and individuals. He knows how to work within the internal and external organization structure in global settings while achieving high degrees of cultural intelligence.
Mohammad is an expert in developing and implementing strategies for reducing operating expenses through demonstrated capabilities in budget and capital planning. He has led a wide range of evaluation and selection of alternative solutions and partners to build efficiency and balance in costs and acceptable risks. With solid experience in multiple industries, including fintech, health, back-office, automation, control, and telecommunications, Mohammad has a strong passion for education as the essential tool for making positive social change in society. He brings all his experience in teaching courses combing academics and practice. Mohammad has taught different universities and colleges (including York University in Toronto) in technology, project management, leadership, and communications. The diversity of his experience allows Mohammad to use a wide range of examples about running businesses, managing situations, and leading initiatives. He is a proponent of mentoring students in colleges and universities, as well as supporting co-op programs.
Mohammad has written and published papers and books in technology and management, including books on software development, networks, and leadership. He continues his management, leadership, and technology research, combining them with biology, history, and industrial design.
Mohammad’s hobbies include reading books, 3D design & printing, and robotics.
EXPERIENCE
Mohammad has held various leadership positions in organizations such as BlackBerry, RBC, CIBC, and BMO, as well as start-up companies in technology. He has a passion for improving the efficiency of technology advancements without losing the focus on technologists and the human side of work. Mohammad has managed global and virtual teams in Canada, Ireland, U.S., and India. He has been instrumental in developing processes, organizational units such as PMOs and implementing corporate strategies. Mohammad has taught in universities and colleges in Iran and Canada. In recent years, he taught different courses in Seneca College and York University, focusing on project management programs, and delivered a diverse range of courses, including communications, leadership, scheduling, budget management, Agile, and delivery. Mohammad has multiple computer software and project management publications with deep knowledge of management science, strategy execution, information systems. A recent book called “Art of Leadership through Battles” combines his passion for history with leadership and strategy execution.
