What is a fractional CTO?
The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) oversees and manages the use of technology to achieve the organisation's digital goals. CTOs are senior staff (often ex-CIOs
or ex-CTOs) with extensive technology and engineering management experience. These specialists are often in short supply and demand high salaries.
Large, multinational organisations can afford to appoint one (or even more) CTOs, smaller organisations may find it hard to access these skills while still
having the requirement to access their skills. Or organisations may already employ an overworked CTO that needs time
off to study, burn down accumulated leave or take maternity leave, and cannot afford to appoint another CTO full-time.
Organisations facing these types of challenges could consider contracting a Fractional CTO. A Fractional CTO is similar to a regular CTO with the
main difference that they are not full-time employees (FTE). They would support the organisation in a similar way to what a fulltime CTO would do.
The main difference would be that they would cost far less than a full-time CTO, and are appointed on a fractional, part-time or contract basis. Their
focus would also be more operational and tactical in nature, unless there is a specific need from the client to support it on a strategic level.
Fractional Technologists
In addition to specialist CTOs, other technologists that can be appointed on a fractional basis, include Architects, Program and Project Managers,
Scrum Masters, Development Managers, Technical and Engineering Leads and Business Analysts. These specialists also engage the company on a fractional
basis, with very specific technical, operational or delivery-focused outcomes.
What is the value to organisations?
Fractional Technologists are experienced technology professionals who offer their services to companies on a part-time or project basis. They work with companies of all sizes, from startups to established enterprises, to help them make informed technology decisions, develop technology strategies, deliver key projects and manage IT operations.
The direct benefits of engaging a fractional technologist include:
- Reduced payroll due to fractional (as opposed to full-time) engagement;
- Import just the experience, expertise and skills you need;
- Obtain a fresh, external perspective to internal challenges;
- Stay up-to-date with latest technology trends with industry experts;
- Maintain a lean technology team with scalability and flexibility in key areas;
- On-board and exit specialists as and when required on a project or delivery basis; and
- Hire specialists for expensive and hard-to-find deliverables such as cybersecurity, cloud migration and system design exercises.
Our engagement models
While our fractional technologists are contracted to clients, they operate as if they are part of our clients’ core teams and operations. As an extension of your larger team, you will get access to technical leaders to move your projects and strategic initiatives forward quicker and more efficiently.
Our technologists can be engaged in one of two ways: