Crisis Management and Transition
An Interim CTO steps in during critical transition periods: the sudden departure of a technical founder, a stalled major rewrite, or an urgent need to restructure the engineering department before a fundraise.
The 90-Day Turnaround Framework
We do not treat interim roles as passive holding patterns. Our goal is to stabilize, optimize, and hand over.
- Days 1-30: Triage. Stop the bleeding. Identify critical single points of failure in both architecture and personnel.
- Days 31-60: Structure. Implement robust delivery processes (moving away from chaotic "agile" rituals) and begin paying down critical technical debt.
- Days 61-90: Handover. Define the spec for the permanent hire, assist in interviewing, and create a 12-month architectural roadmap for the incoming leader.
Common Scenarios
| Scenario | Primary Risk | Our Approach |
|---|---|---|
| CTO Departure | Loss of institutional knowledge | Rapid documentation and delegation matrix |
| Stalled Rewrite | Sunk cost fallacy, team burnout | Scope reduction, microservices rationalization |
- Can you help hire your permanent replacement?
- Yes, this is typically a core part of the interim mandate. We write the job description, conduct technical screening, and advise the board on the final selection.