Gain access to executive-level technical expertise without the full-time commitment.
We guide your technology strategy, architecture, and development processes to align with your business objectives.
Our Approach
When entering a new organization, our Fractional CTOs will begin with an intensive discovery period focused on three critical dimensions:
- Business objectives
- Current technical foundation
- Organizational alignment and capabilities
The CTO’s approach will be strategic, collaborative, and tailored to the organization’s unique needs.
The CTO will take care to observe team dynamics and working styles before suggesting any process changes, recognizing that successful technical leadership requires both organizational insight and technical expertise.
The CTO 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 CTO will adapt their approach to match the organization’s maturity level and specific needs, introducing more sophisticated technical practices incrementally as the team develops.
Our Methodology
Phase 1 - Discovery
Our Fractional CTOs follow a systematic methodology to integrate with an organization’s existing strategic, software development and infrastructure frameworks (if frameworks exist).
If no frameworks exist, the CTO will bring standard Matador Consulting methodologies to the engagement, which are based on industry-standard methodologies.
In the first phase of activity, the CTO will:
- Organize deep-dive sessions with key stakeholders to understand business objectives, current technical capabilities, team capabilities and immediate pain points to create a comprehensive picture of the current state.
- Immerse themselves in the architecture, code base, and the product, understanding its features, technical architecture, and current roadmap.
- Conduct a thorough review of existing systems, development processes, security posture, and team dynamics, while identifying both technical debt and opportunities for innovation.
By facilitating workshops, meetings, and open forums, the CTO will create opportunities for transparent communication and increased organizational alignment.
Phase 2 - Initial Execution
During the second phase, the CTO will:
- Synthesize the discovery findings into an actionable roadmap.
- Establish a governance framework for technology 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 CTO 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 CTO:
- 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 technology review boards, creating succession plans for critical roles, and building relationships with strategic technology partners.
Throughout all phases, the CTO maintains transparent communication through weekly status updates, monthly executive summaries, and quarterly strategic reviews.