Flexible Leadership for Every Stage of Growth
Every organization needs technology leadership – but not all need it in the same way. Michael Harden offers flexible engagement models designed to fit your business stage, budget, and goals.
Whether you need ongoing executive support or short-term guidance to move a project forward, each model is built to provide clarity, accountability, and measurable results.
1. Fractional CTO (Part-Time Leadership)
Best for: Growing startups, maturing businesses, and teams that need consistent strategic direction without hiring a full-time executive.
Michael acts as your part-time CTO, providing ongoing oversight of your technology initiatives, teams, and vendors. He participates in leadership meetings, sets technical priorities, and ensures that your roadmap aligns with business goals.
Typical Involvement:
- 8-40 hours per month, depending on scope and complexity
- Weekly leadership check-ins and status reviews
- Direct collaboration with internal or external development teams
- Continuous advisory on architecture, process, and hiring decisions
Key Outcomes:
- Executive-level guidance without the full-time salary
- Clear technology strategy and delivery plan
- Improved efficiency, scalability, and technical accountability
2. Project-Based Advisory
Best for: Companies facing a specific challenge or preparing for a critical initiative – such as an audit, product launch, or modernization effort.
In a project-based engagement, Michael focuses on one key outcome. He assesses your current systems, identifies gaps, and helps your team execute a clear action plan.
Typical Involvement:
- Fixed-scope engagement lasting 4-12 weeks
- Discovery, analysis, and roadmap delivery
- Implementation oversight or coaching support as needed
Key Outcomes:
- Immediate clarity around technical risks and opportunities
- Defined, actionable roadmap for leadership and teams
- Expert validation for investors, boards, or stakeholders
3. Interim CTO
Best for: Organizations in transition – such as between CTO hires, going through rapid scaling, or restructuring their technology leadership.
Michael steps in as an interim executive to stabilize operations, manage teams, and establish systems that support sustainable growth. This model is ideal when you need a trusted leader to maintain momentum while recruiting or realigning internally.
Typical Involvement:
- Temporary full-time or near full-time executive leadership (2-6 months)
- Team leadership and performance management
- Architecture and delivery oversight
- Recruiting and onboarding support for the next permanent CTO
Key Outcomes:
- Continuity of leadership and direction during transitions
- Stabilized systems, structure, and reporting processes
- Seamless handoff to permanent leadership
Why This Approach Works
Michael’s engagement models are designed to deliver the same level of focus and accountability you’d expect from a full-time executive – but tailored to your business’s unique situation. Each engagement begins with a discovery call to define objectives, deliverables, and success metrics before any work begins.
His goal is to become an extension of your leadership team: a partner who brings clarity, reduces uncertainty, and helps you make smarter technology decisions.
Schedule a call with Michael today.
Let’s Start the Conversation
A Fractional CTO gives you the advantage of senior expertise without long-term commitment or overhead. Whether you’re building, scaling, or transforming, Michael helps you make every technology decision with confidence.