ctofraction.com, Author at CTO Fraction

How to Motivate Software Engineers With Progress

A futuristic road made of solar panels stretches towards a city skyline, symbolizing progress and innovation. This image visually represents the concept of forward-moving progress, which is key when learning how to motivate software engineers by fostering continuous improvement and creating a path for success.

How to Motivate Software Engineers With Progress Motivating software engineers can be a challenge for any tech leader, but understanding the factors that create engagement can make all the difference. Based on the principles outlined in The Progress Principle by Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer, creating an environment that builds motivation, creativity, and productivity involves […]

How CTOs Can Build Decentralized Organizations

The image shows a busy roundabout in a modern city with several vehicles, including cars and buses, navigating through it. The roundabout is located near tall buildings, with greenery surrounding the traffic circle. Traffic lights at the entrances and exits control the flow of vehicles. In the context of a CTO (Chief Technology Officer) in a decentralized organization, the roundabout can serve as a metaphor for guiding the flow of decision-making and innovation.

How CTOs Can Build Decentralized Organizations In his book Brave New Work, Aaron Dignan reimagines the future of work by challenging traditional organizational structures and advocating for more adaptive, human-centered systems. One of his compelling metaphors compares a standard traffic intersection to a roundabout, illustrating the differences between centralized and decentralized models of operation. These […]

What Questions to Ask When Hiring a Fractional CTO

A handshake between two professionals, symbolizing collaboration and partnership, with a background of interconnected gears and circuitry representing technology and strategy. This image highlights the importance of asking the right questions when hiring a Fractional CTO to ensure alignment and success.

What Questions to Ask When Hiring a Fractional CTO Knowing what questions to ask when hiring a Fractional CTO can help you select the right candidate for your business. Hiring a Fractional CTO can be a critical decision for your company, especially when trying to achieve rapid technological growth without the full-time commitment of a […]

Why Your Test Environment Must be Identical to Production

A side-by-side comparison of two server racks, labeled "Test Environment" on the left and "Production Environment" on the right. Both setups feature screens displaying code and system analytics, connected by a double-headed arrow to symbolize synchronization. The image illustrates the concept of maintaining a test environment identical to production for consistent software behavior. Bright orange and blue labels clearly differentiate the environments.

Why Your Test Environment Must be Identical to Production If you don’t want to hear “It works in TEST but not in PRODUCTION”, make sure that your Test environment is identical to your Production environment. I have worked at several companies where this scenario happened more than once: A new feature is built It is […]

Fractional CTO Improving Five Dysfunctions of a Team

$A group of eight individuals sitting in a circle on grass outdoors, with a man gesturing and speaking to the group. They appear engaged in a collaborative discussion amidst a natural setting of trees. This represents a team-building or leadership workshop environment. Keywords: fractional CTO five dysfunctions of a team.$

Fractional CTO Improving Five Dysfunctions of a Team: Case Study As a Fractional CTO I recently worked with a client where one of my objectives was to improve the 5 dysfunctions of a team, according to Lencioni’s book. In this article, I share the approach I took towards helping the teams, and the results that […]

How Much Should You Pay for a Fractional CTO?

Sign on a brick wall with the text 'How much $ for a Fractional CTO?' displayed in bold black letters, sparking the question of how much to pay for a Fractional CTO.

How Much Should You Pay for a Fractional CTO? How much should you pay for a Fractional CTO when you need to hire one? There are all kinds of articles floating around discussing Fractional CTO salaries. There are also plenty of sources explaining how it is cheaper to hire a Fractional CTO than hiring a […]

The Power of Focus: Why Doing Less Leads to Greater Results

Close-up of a laser engraving machine cutting the word 'FOCUS' into a metal plate, symbolizing precision and the benefits of focused work in achieving efficiency and high-quality results.

The Power of Focus: Why Doing Less Leads to Greater Results Understanding the benefits of focused work can help counter the problem of interruptions. Business and corporate cultures often praise the concept of being “fast-paced”, but this usually means “chaotic and distracted”. Modern society thrives on constant distractions, and maintaining focus is becoming a lost […]

How a CTO Can Create a Culture of Accountability

A stack of reports with a yellow sticky note on top reading "DONE!" symbolizing task completion. This image highlights the importance of creating a CTO culture of accountability, where clear ownership and task follow-through drive results and productivity.

How a CTO Can Create a Culture of Accountability A culture of accountability is quite important for high-performing teams. As a CTO, your role is critical in establishing this culture. It involves holding yourself, your peers, and your teams accountable while building an environment where commitments are respected and owned by everyone. Below, we outline […]

Front-End/Back-End vs. Full-Stack Software Engineering Teams

Four software developers working collaboratively in a modern office environment, highlighting the concept of front-end and back-end specialized teams versus full-stack teams. The image conveys teamwork, focus, and a productive workspace, representing the dynamics of different team structures in software engineering.

Front-End/Back-End vs. Full-Stack Software Engineering Teams Deciding between front-end & back-end vs full-stack software engineering teams is a question for many engineering managers and leaders. Software engineering teams are at the core of technological innovation, moving the development of applications, services, and platforms that power our digital experiences. Among the many approaches to organizing these […]

Why Commitment Matters When Hiring a Fractional CTO

$Two business professionals collaborating over a laptop, symbolizing commitment when hiring a fractional CTO, emphasizing teamwork and strategic partnership in a professional setting.$

Why Commitment Matters When Hiring a Fractional CTO Commitment when hiring a Fractional CTO is quite important for overall success. When businesses bring on a fractional Chief Technology Officer (CTO), they often anticipate transformative outcomes. The promise of expert guidance, streamlined operations, and forward-thinking strategies can be enticing. However, much like hiring a personal trainer, […]