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What is a fractional CPO or CTO, and when to hire one

By Evandro Maciel
Published

Short answer

A fractional CPO or CTO is senior product or technology leadership working part-time, for companies that don't have or don't need that person full-time yet. It makes sense when product and technology decisions already weigh on the business, but the company isn't ready for an executive hire. At Shift23 the role is strategic, not operational, and covers product and technology in one conversation.

What does a fractional CPO or CTO actually do?

Sets product, technology, security and business strategy with the founders, with targets and decision criteria. Puts rituals and metrics in place for the team to decide with data, documents architecture decisions and helps hire and coach people.

When the moment calls for it, they step into execution: review the architecture, unblock a delivery, run a discovery. The goal isn't to become a permanent operation, but to leave the team ready to keep going.

When does it make sense to hire one?

A few signs show up before it's time to hire a full-time executive:

  • Every product, technology and business decision sits with the founders.
  • The team grows without clear architecture, security and priorities.
  • The company needs senior leadership but isn't ready for a full-time CPO or CTO.
  • A search for that leader is about to start and no one is there to shape the role.

What is the difference between the strategic and the operational model?

In the operational model, fractional leadership fills a seat: it runs the team's day-to-day until someone is hired. In the strategic model, it sets direction, criteria and rituals, steps into execution when needed and measures success by the autonomy the team gains.

Shift23 works in the strategic model, with hands on. In practice, that means less dependence on one person and more capacity for the team to decide on its own.

Why product and technology under one leader?

In small companies, the line between what to build and how to build it is thin. When one leader covers both, there are fewer hand-offs between teams, decisions come faster and deliveries stay tied to business targets you can measure.

How do you get started?

The first step is a diagnostic: understanding the business, product, team and technology, and agreeing with the founders on what changes first. At Shift23, that starts with a free 45-minute conversation with the founder, and you leave with a read on the risks and a recommendation for next steps.

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