Ketan Rathor, is a distinguished figure in the global information technology sector with over 23 years of IT leadership experience. His extensive expertise encompasses project management, solution architecture, digital transformation, analytics, software development and supply chain management, cultivated through a dynamic career spanning 15 countries.
Known for his strategic vision and innovative approach, Ketan Rathor has led numerous complex, large-scale projects, including SAP S4 HANA implementations across multiple continents.
Beyond his leadership roles, Ketan Rathor is also a published scholar in data science, with a focus on hybrid ensemble techniques and convolutional neural networks. In this interview, Ketan Rathor delves into his approach to managing global teams, navigating the evolving tech landscape, and his perspectives on the future of Software Development, AI and Data Science.
With over two decades of experience in IT leadership, what have been the most significant changes in the technology landscape that you’ve witnessed, and how have you adapted to stay at the forefront of innovation?
Some of the most significant changes in IT landscape have been in Cloud Computing, Data analytics, cybersecurity, DevOps and agile methodologies, Mobile and IoT, Digital transformation, Automation and Artificial Intelligence.
To stay adapted and to be at the forefront of innovation, continuous learning is the key. This involves ongoing education on new technologies, networking by engaging with industry peers, attending conferences and participating in professional communities, actively working on new tools and technologies to understand their practical applications.
The most important has been to develop skills in change management, strategic planning, and innovation leadership to effectively guide teams through technological shifts.
Your professional career has taken you to 15 countries, where you’ve led diverse international teams. How has your global experience influenced your approach to software development, project management and digital transformation?
Global experience helped me provide a rich perspective on managing diverse teams and navigating the complexities of digital transformation with my technical skills in software development. One of the foundational stone was to adapt on communication style to suit various cultural norms and expectations, ensuring that messages were well understood and well-received, which is a very crucial aspect in project management and digital transformation.
One distinct advantage with global teams has been to adept to adjusting strategies to fit local contexts, a skill that is very valuable in managing complex, global digital transformation initiatives.
As a leader, you’re involved in managing global projects, including SAP S4 HANA implementations across multiple continents. What are the key challenges in managing such complex, large-scale projects, and how do you overcome them?
Key challenges of handling SAP S/4 HANA implementation across multiple continents presents several challenges. They are primarily complexity of system integration, regulatory compliance and data security, change management, resource management, stakeholder alignment, coordination across time zones, cultural differences, technical and operational readiness. “Follow-the-sun” model and regularly scheduling meetings at overlapping times, using collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams or Slack, and maintaining clear documentation help mitigate issues.
SAP S/4HANA implementations involve integrating various systems often across different platforms and environments, which can lead to compatibility issues and technical challenges.
Using a phased approach to implementation, starting with critical systems and gradually integrating others helps mitigate this risk.
Your scholarly article on hybrid ensemble techniques and convolutional neural networks was published and has contributed immensely in the scientific community. Could you share some insights from your research and how it contributes to advancements in data science and machine learning?
The models that are being used in my research are a type of hybrid ensemble technique. By mixing numerous models rather than relying just on one, ensemble approach seeks to increase the accuracy of findings in data models.
These integrated data science models considerably improve the accuracy of results. Due to this accuracy, ensemble approaches in machine learning have gained prominence. Bootstrap aggregating is commonly used in classification and regression. Through decision trees, it improves the model`s accuracy, greatly reducing variation.
The process of hybrid ensemble techniques helped in improving the accuracy by combining two methods into one technique.
Digital transformation is a critical aspect of modern businesses. In your experience at a leadership role, what are the most common obstacles global organizations face during digital transformation, and how do you guide them through these challenges?
Inadequate technology infrastructure hinders the adoption of new digital technologies. This challenge can be overcome by conducting a thorough assessment of current IT infrastructure and guide the organization in adopting scalable, cloud-based solutions and modernizing their IT landscape to support new digital initiatives.
Data management, cybersecurity and misalignment between IT and business objectives are additional challenges. Data management strategy which includes data integration, cleansing and governance practices helps in mitigating data management challenges.
Every stage of the digital transformation process involves new technologies to be evaluated for security implications and develop a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. It is imperative to ensure that IT is involved in strategic decision-making and that business leaders understand the technical implications of their decisions. Establishing governance structures between IT and Business team encourages governance and joint ownership of digital initiatives becomes a key factor.
Your expertise spans various technologies, including SAP, Microsoft Azure, and Salesforce. How do you stay updated with the latest advancements in these critical latest technologies, and how do you decide which innovations to integrate into your projects?
Industry conferences like SAP Sapphire, Microsoft ignite, Salesforce Dreamforce helps to stay abreast with latest technology. Follow leading tech blogs, journals, and websites like TechCrunch, Wired, Gartner, and Forrester helps to stay informed about emerging trends and technologies. Staying updated with the latest advancements in technology and deciding which innovations to integrate into projects is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge in IT leadership.
Adopting such strategic, measured approach to integrate new technologies helps to ensure that projects remain innovative and aligned with organization’s long-term goals. Deciding innovations to integrate latest technologies is directly proportional to alignment to business goals. Monitor industry trends to understand where your competitors and market leaders are heading. If a technology is gaining traction and could provide a competitive advantage, it might be a priority for integration.
Ensuring that the innovation is scalable and adaptable to future needs helps in the decision matrix. Technologies that are flexible and can evolve with the organization are more likely to provide long-term value.
As a certified SAP Activate Project Manager, PMI-ACP and as a core software developer, how do these certifications enhance your ability to lead projects, and what advice would you give to aspiring software developers, architects and project managers looking to achieve similar credentials?
The mantra is “embrace lifelong learning”. Certifications are valuable, but real-world experience is crucial. Seek opportunities to apply what you’ve learned in actual projects. One should always engage with industry peers, join professional organizations, and participate in online communities.
For aspiring project managers and architects, it’s important to develop both technical and leadership skills. It is of utmost importance to cultivate the ability to adapt to different roles and environments. Whether you’re leading a project or working on software development, being adaptable will make you more resilient and capable of handling diverse challenges.
Looking ahead, what are the emerging trends in AI, machine learning, and data science that you believe will shape the future of the tech industry, and how do you see yourself contributing to these developments?
Several emerging trends in AI, machine learning (ML), and data science are poised to significantly shape the future of the tech industry. Explainable AI (XAI) will be crucial in regulated industries like healthcare and finance, where understanding AI decisions is essential for compliance and ethical considerations. Edge AI involves processing data locally on devices (e.g., smartphones, IoT devices) rather than relying on cloud-based systems. AI/ML Ops focuses on automating and streamlining the deployment, monitoring, and maintenance of machine learning models in production environments. It bridges the gap between data science and operations, ensuring that AI models deliver consistent value.
I am poised to lead initiatives that integrates explainable AI and operationalize AI/ML models in large-scale projects. By advocating for ethical AI practices at government policy making process, I look forward to help establish frameworks that ensure AI systems are developed and deployed responsibly. In the field of quantum computing which is still emerging, it is very important for large corporations to stay informed about its developments and potential applications in AI. Professionally I look forward to stay at the forefront of these emerging trends and leverage research, technical skills, and leadership experience to play a significant role in shaping the future of AI, machine learning, and data science within my organization and the broader software technology industry.
From the editor….
Ketan Rathor’s journey is a testament to his dedication to advancing technology and transforming businesses on a global scale in the field of software development and ERP implementation. His strategic approach to digital transformation, combined with his leadership in data science and machine learning, underscores his role as a thought leader in the industry.
Rathor’s insights on managing international teams, overcoming the challenges of large-scale implementations, and staying ahead of emerging trends reflect his commitment to excellence and innovation.
As he continues to spearhead transformative projects and push the boundaries of what’s possible in technology, Rathor’s influence and contributions will undoubtedly continue to shape the future of the IT landscape, making him a respected global leader and visionary in the field.
