Software developer Hardik Ghelani's creative approach to problem-solving and managerial skills are integral to his success, leading to his expertise being not solely confined to engineering. This has helped set him apart in his field. Hardik has worked on numerous high-profile projects over the years, successfully scaling teams and creating innovative solutions for global companies. From being a software developer to now working as the Director of Technical Program Management at ADP, Hardik is distinguishing himself as a modern thought leader. As he himself puts it, "My career has been driven by a combination of creative problem-solving and effective team management."
Hardik's career began in India, but his expertise was soon recognized internationally. Recalling his early days, Hardik reminisces, "My stint at Larsen & Toubro Infotech was foundational. Winning the Best Project Implementation Award during training in 2006 was a turning point for me." He was sent to Syracuse, New York, in 2007 to work on a project for Carrier Inc. This led to another exciting project in Denmark for Radiometer Inc. that started in 2009. However, his biggest project came in 2011, when he traveled back to the United States to start working at HBO.
The HBO project began with Hardik and two other contractors more than ten years ago. The team was set to work on MIND, metadata integration, and network delivery, a software application used for non-linear scheduling. The software allows HBO to schedule the release of their television shows and movies on their streaming service. The first months of the project were difficult. Hardik and his team experienced major differences in communication styles, and their contract was on the verge of being withdrawn. "Navigating through initial challenges and steering the project to success taught me invaluable lessons in resilience and adaptability," Hardik notes. However, by changing their approach and coming up with a remediation plan, Hardik was able to save the contract. Since this immense problem-solving feat, Hardik has managed to grow the contract from three workers to a team of twenty-one. Between 2011 and 2016, Hardik was promoted twice and became the Senior Project Manager.
"My development of the Dynamic Squad Model, which I used to address the challenges of resource allocation and team efficiency in the scrum team-based models, is one of my most notable achievements," notes Hardik. This model is a modern way of organizing software development teams by focusing on a particular goal or purpose. It is "dynamic" in that the goal shapes the size and lifespan of individual squads. Developing this solution for ADP utilized all of Hardik's leadership and engineering skills.
In order to reduce the time to develop and market, he and his team also created a solution called MaSCoT. This type of creative thinking is typical for Hardik, who is always ready for a challenge. Any obstacle that happens to arise during his projects is tackled with a unique perspective. Hardik sees challenges as opportunities for growth rather than setbacks, as evidenced in his work with HBO.
Even when a project seems destined to fail, Hardik finds a new approach and guides it to success. In the future, Hardik plans to funnel this attitude into an even more influential position. He sees himself as part of a senior executive committee at a multinational company. His previous experience and impressive resume ensure that this goal is within his reach. "I aspire to contribute to the strategic direction of a multinational corporation," he reveals. "My journey so far has equipped me with the skills and vision to make a significant impact."
Being an innovator in the field of technology is not easy. In today's world, advances in technology move at a rapid pace, and even just keeping up with them is a challenge. Hardik is able to stay ahead of these trends and integrate his own ideas into his work. He seizes opportunities for change, harnessing his experience to mold innovative solutions. Hardik is at the forefront of his field, and he is ready to take on whatever comes his way.
