Elevate your product strategy and execution with our fractional Chief Product Officer services.
We help you define, develop, and launch products that delight customers and drive growth.
Our Approach
When entering a new organization, our Fractional CPOs will begin with an intensive discovery period focused on three critical dimensions:
- Business objectives
- Current product capabilities
- Organizational alignment and capabilities
The CPO’s approach will be strategic, collaborative, and tailored to the organization’s unique needs.
The CPO will take care to observe team dynamics and working styles before suggesting any process changes, recognizing that successful product leadership requires both organizational insight and technical expertise.
The CPO will work to establish clear lines of communication, setting expectations for status updates, escalation procedures, and decision-making protocols; rather than imposing a rigid methodology immediately, the CPO will adapt their approach to match the organization’s maturity level and specific needs, introducing more sophisticated product practices incrementally as the team develops.
Our Methodology
Phase 1 - Discovery
Our Fractional CPOs follow a systematic methodology to integrate with an organization’s existing strategic, product management and UI/UX frameworks (if frameworks exist).
If no frameworks exist, the CPO will bring standard Matador Consulting methodologies to the engagement, which are based on industry-standard methodologies.
In the first phase of activity, the CPO will:
- Organize deep-dive sessions with key stakeholders to understand business objectives, current product market fit, product capabilities, team capabilities and immediate pain points to create a comprehensive picture of the current state.
- Immerse themselves in the product, understanding its features and current roadmap.
- Conduct a thorough review of existing systems, product management processes, security posture, and team dynamics, while identifying both areas of improvement and opportunities for innovation.
By facilitating workshops, meetings, and open forums, the CPO will create opportunities for transparent communication and increased organizational alignment.
Phase 2 - Initial Execution
During the second phase, the CPO will:
- Synthesize the discovery findings into an actionable roadmap.
- Establish a governance framework for product decisions.
- Develop a prioritized list of recommendations across multiple horizons, with each recommendation will include clear success metrics, resource requirements, and risk mitigation strategies; horizons include:
- Immediate tactical improvements.
- Medium-term strategic initiatives.
- Long-term transformational goals, including recommendations for technology stack optimization, team structure, development methodologies, and vendor relationships.
The CPO will take a hands-on role in critical decisions while empowering the team through knowledge transfer and mentorship.
Phase 3 - Ongoing Execution and Continuous Improvement
The third phase of the methodology involves the CPO:
- Embedding sustainable practices within the organization.
- Gradually shifting from direct implementation to an advisory role, ensuring the team can maintain and build upon the improvements independently.
- Documenting key processes, establishing product review boards, creating succession plans for critical roles, and building relationships with strategic technology partners.
Throughout all phases, the CPO maintains transparent communication through weekly status updates, monthly executive summaries, and quarterly strategic reviews.