I turn complex programs into outcomes, and global ideas into Indian realities.
I help international education brands succeed in India, and I lead the large programs that change how organisations work. Two practices, one discipline: making strategy land.
KGTwo practices, one discipline
Global education brands, made to work in India
- An entry plan built on how Indian schools and boards actually decide
- Your curriculum mapped against NCERT, CBSE, ICSE, state boards, IB and Cambridge
- School partnerships that turn a pilot into a presence
Large programs that people actually adopt
- Multi-country programs, carried from plan to adoption
- PMO governance that gives leaders clarity without slowing teams down
- SAP and digital platforms delivered with the change work they need
My doctoral research sits between the two: why the same strategy succeeds in one market and stalls in another.
Where the work actually happens
Find where you fit
Global education brands
Planning an India launch, or restarting one that stalled.
See services →Schools in India
Assessment papers, curriculum reviews and readiness support.
See services →Organisations and boards
Senior program and transformation leadership, and advisory roles.
See how I lead →Researchers and hosts
Research collaboration, panels, conferences and talks.
See my research →Recent work, in brief
Readying a US maths curriculum for Indian schools
Go-to-market transformation in six countries
Skills programmes inside schools and colleges
What managers and colleagues say
16 recommendations from managers, colleagues and classmates across Pfizer, Francorp, QatarEnergy LNG, Haldia Petrochemicals and Copenhagen Business School. Published on LinkedIn.
Kumar’s expertise & consultative range is truly valuable to any business or industry. Adept at managing key stakeholder relationships at all levels, an expert in project management across a wide variety of areas & a pioneer in change management, Kumar is a great asset. Kumar has great initiative & has a forward-thinking approach, and he throughly enjoys a challenge. His communication & organisational skills are wonderful & Kumar can add a huge amount of value & benefit to any business or venture. Highly recommend Kumar to anyone seeking to grow or enhance their team.
Kumar is a thoughtful and passionate agile practitioner, and I am so glad I’ve had the opportunity to work with him at Pfizer. We met through the Agile Book Club, an optional group for colleagues interested in discussing agile topics. Even though the meeting is late on Friday evenings for Kumar, he has been one of the most regular attendees. Kumar always brings insightful reflections to our conversations, and demonstrates servant leadership in his many contributions to the wider Agile community at Pfizer. I highly recommend Kumar and know he will bring a tremendous amount of value to any agile role.
I have had the privilege of working closely with Kumar on various projects for almost two years and I have learned a lot from his exceptional project management skills. He has been a key contributor to our team’s success, always ensuring that projects were executed with efficiency and quality and delivered within the deadlines. I look forward to the possibility of crossing paths again and collaborating on future endeavors as his expertise, proactive mindset and business acumen, make him a valuable asset to any team.
Constant change is part of our everyday life. That requires a certain attitude. I have been working with Kumar for many months and I can only confirm that he has provided me and the entire team with great support in many areas. Whatever his task was – the result was 100% perfect! Thank you Kumar for your tireless commitment and your calmness, which you demonstrated even in turbulent times. Keep your professional way of working! It was a pleasure working with you.
Working with a team that has the right attitude makes a big difference. Kumar was part of that team. I have been working closely with Kumar for over a year. Kumar has done a great job he supported our company and our digital transformation in many ways. His extensive skills were much needed and greatly appreciated. He supported the country leadership team in market implementation activities and contacted, informed, and supported the team. …
I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with Kumar Gaurab since July 2022 at Pfizer, where he’s shown exceptional proficiency in Agile Project Management and Agile Coaching. As an Agile Project Manager, Kumar reduced project delivery times and ensured cost-effective outcomes through his mastery of Agile methodologies. …
Kumar and I were team members for our group MBA thesis. Our team of four created a strategic implementation plan for a new hybrid product for a Danish manufacturer of hearing aids and headsets. Kumar always arrived prepared to our team meetings, ready to present his thoughtful and detailed analysis. He kept our team on track throughout our four-month thesis project, ensuring that our team responsibilities were delegated per our skill sets. His collaboration and negotiation skills really shined during each stage of our project. …
I am more than pleased to have the opportunity to recommend Kumar Gaurab. I worked with Kumar in the strategy consulting team at Francorp Inc. Kumar was always an outstanding member of the team, and I have always been impressed by his professionalism and admirable personal qualities. As a Strategy Consultant, Kumar constantly demonstrated his exceptional analytical skills and extensive knowledge of best practices in preparing business proposals. …
I had the pleasure of working with Kumar during 2020-21. He is a dedicated and skilled professional with expertise in Project Management and Strategic Planning. He has a strong ability to drive growth and deliver results, and is an excellent communicator who consistently goes above and beyond to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget. He has a diverse background and wealth of experience, making him a valuable asset to any organization. I highly recommend him for any opportunity in the field of Project & Portfolio Management.
Gaurab knows his domain in depth and is one of the most polished management expert I’ve had the honour to work with. His understanding of time and process is tremendously good and his knowledge in coming up with the best next step for a project gives a major nudge to all the teams. Whether it’s keeping communications clear, or helping a team mate in need, Gaurab does it all.
I worked with Kumar in the offsites asset where he was the senior planner there. He has the correct mind set, effectiveness, workmanship, quality, and attitude towards his work. It has been and always my pleasure to have worked with him.
Gaurab is highly qualified & have systematic, analytical, professional approach and very quick, result oriented & trust worthy. He has positive attitude. I wish him all the very best and successful future.
Kumar is a very hardworking and skilled person who gives his 100% at everything he does. He is a quick learner and is very dedicated to his work. It has been a great experience to work with him. His attitude towards his work is exceptionally good.
A very knowledgeable and skilful person to work with. Great enthusiasm for the work and one whose always ready to help.
Kumar is an Awesome Strategist and an amazing colleague to work with, one with impeccable work ethic!
Kumar Gaurab possesses excellent planning skills & good knowledge in SAP PM & MM Modules
From the plant floor to the classroom, and the research room.
I have spent more than twenty years making plans work in the real world. Today I bring that to Indian education, and to the question of why strategies succeed in one place and fail in another.
Three chapters
Learning how work really happens
I began as a mechanical engineer at Haldia Petrochemicals, then planned projects for RasGas in Qatar. The plant floor taught me to look past the process document to the work itself.
Making strategy land at scale
An MBA at Copenhagen Business School took me into strategy. I helped 40+ global brands plan their India expansion, built PMO governance for 3,500 people at Byju's, and led a six-country transformation for Pfizer.
Bringing it to education
I founded IndiaEdXpert, co-founded Skillern Academy and VidyaAudit, and lead SAP programs for RWA/SIG. I am now a doctoral candidate at IIM Sambalpur and IAE Bordeaux.
MBA in Strategy and Finance, Copenhagen Business School
A year in one of Europe's most international classrooms, which ended with my being named MBA Student of the Year 2015.
Good products, wrong playbook
International education brands keep arriving in India with strong products and plans written for another market. Schools here decide differently, boards set different rules, and parents expect different things. I stand between the two sides. I know how global companies plan, and I know how Indian schools choose.
From doing it to studying it
After two decades of execution, one question kept returning: why does a plan that works in one country, company or school fail in the next? My doctoral work at IIM Sambalpur and IAE Bordeaux studies that question properly, so I can bring better answers back to the people I advise.
Mentoring and volunteering
MBA Industry Mentor
S P Jain School of Global Management · Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore and Sydney
Mentored an MBA candidate on industry perspective, refining the business model, building a go-to-market strategy and shaping the MBA thesis.
Strategy Analyst
The Humanitarian Water and Food Award (WAF), Copenhagen
Supported an international volunteer network that promotes global best practice in water and food security.
Volunteered at the Copenhagen Fashion Festival and at a welcome reception for 400+ guests at International House Copenhagen.
“Transformation isn’t just about changing processes—it’s about unlocking potential.”
Program and agile leadership
AI for leaders
Education, community and tools
See all further courses (30)
Strategy and leadership
Creating a Culture of Strategy Execution · Creating a Program Strategy · Digital Strategy · Create a Go-To-Market Plan · Balanced Scorecard and Key Performance Indicators · Thinking Strategically as a Manager (Skillsoft) · Staying Balanced in a Shifting World (Skillsoft) · Humble Inquiry (getAbstract) · Giving Your Elevator Pitch
Project and agile practice
PMP® Exam Prep, 35 PDU (KPMG India) · PMP® Certification Training (Simplilearn) · Project Management Introduction, PMBOK® 6 (Skillsoft) · Certified SAFe® 5 Advanced Scrum Master (Scaled Agile, 2022) · What Is Scrum? · Certification in Lean Management (Simplilearn)
Data and AI tools
How to Research and Write Using Generative AI Tools · How to Boost Your Productivity with AI Tools · Business Intelligence for Consultants · Learning SQL Programming · Tableau 10 Essential Training · Excel: Economic Analysis and Data Analytics · Data Analytics for Pricing Analysts in Excel · Swift Advanced Excel (NIIT)
Engineering foundations
Statutory Testing of Lifting Tools and Tackles (National Safety Council, 2008) · Piping Design Engineering (Design Techniques, 2008) · Thermal Power Generation and the Indian Electricity Act 2003 (National Power Training Institute, 2004) · Metrological Measurements (CMERI Durgapur, 2004)
Unless named, courses are from LinkedIn Learning, 2019–2023.
How I can help you
Choose the section that describes you. Each one says what I do, how it works, and what you get at the end.
For international education brands
You have a product that works elsewhere. I help you find where it fits in India, what has to change, and who to partner with, so your first year here builds momentum instead of burning budget.
Market entry strategy and research
Which boards, school segments and cities to start with, how schools buy, and what it realistically takes to get in.
Curriculum gap assessment
Your curriculum mapped against NCERT and CBSE, ICSE, state boards, IB or Cambridge, with readiness scores and a clear list of what to adapt.
Institutional impact assessment
A structured look at what your programme changes in partner schools, so you can show its value to principals and boards.
Content development
Adapting or creating content so it fits Indian classrooms, boards and assessment patterns.
For schools in India
Practical support for school and college leaders who want stronger assessment, an honest view of where they stand, and programmes that add real skills.
Assessment papers
Faculty-drafted formative and summative question papers for Cambridge schools in Science, Social Studies, Maths and English, plus review and moderation of your own papers.
School readiness assessment
Through VidyaAudit: a clear picture of where your school stands before you invest in a new board, programme or expansion.
Skills and certification
Through Skillern Academy: certified skills programmes run inside your school or college, with NSDC and EMax certification.
For organisations and boards
I lead programs that cross countries, functions and systems, and I stay with them until people use what was built. I am open to Director and VP roles in program management and transformation, and to advisory work.
Program leadership
Multi-country programs from business case to adoption, with the stakeholder and change work that decides the result.
PMO and governance
Governance that gives leaders one clear view of scope, cost and risk without slowing teams down.
SAP and digital delivery
SAP Ariba, SAP BTP and digital platforms, delivered with Agile and SAFe practices.
Research notes from practice
The questions behind my doctoral research. Each began as a problem on a real program. Longer essays will follow here.
Executive PhD, IIM Sambalpur, and DBA, IAE Bordeaux (2026–29)
Photos: IIM Sambalpur
Why does the same strategy succeed in one market and fail in the next?
I watched one go-to-market model roll out across six countries with the same plan, platform and funding. The results were not the same. I am studying which differences matter most.
Strategy executionHow much should a global education model bend for India?
Some brands adapt too little and never pass the pilot. Others adapt so much they lose what made them good. I am looking for the point of balance, and how to spot it early.
Global and localWhen does digital transformation become an advantage?
Many organisations go live on the same platforms. Few end up ahead because of it. I am studying what separates the two.
Digital transformationChanging the Graphics of the Indian Education Industry
My article on the flipped classroom and what it could do for Indian schools, especially in rural areas where there are too few teachers for the number of students. It sets out how the model works, what it gives teachers and students, and why franchising could carry it to scale through private partners, provided government connectivity plans reach schools.
I wrote it while leading research and strategy at Francorp. Nearly a decade later, the same question of how a model travels across Indian classrooms sits at the heart of my doctoral research.
Education models IndiaDisciplined Agile for Scrum Teams
A ProThoughts webinar on combining Disciplined Agile with Scrum, so teams keep Scrum's rhythm while choosing ways of working that fit their context.
Let's talk about what you are building.
Tell me a little about where you are. I reply personally.