What is it?
Technology leadership needs change depending on the situation. Sometimes a business needs clarity on a single decision. Sometimes it needs ongoing judgment, structure, or hands-on support. Treating all of these cases as the same type of engagement usually creates either unnecessary cost or unnecessary risk.
The engagement levels described here are a way to match the level of involvement to the actual needs and constraints of the business at a given point in time. They differ not by importance, but by responsibility, proximity to execution, and decision ownership. Each option is designed to be appropriate, reversible, and easy to explain later, both internally and externally.
One-time engagement ($5,000-$50,000)
What you get
You get clarity on a specific technology problem or decision that is blocking progress or creating uncertainty. The outcome is a clear, reasoned position you can act on, including trade-offs, risks, and realistic options. This is designed to help you move forward without committing to a longer engagement and without carrying hidden assumptions. The focus is on resolving the decision responsibly, based on what is known at the time.
This is for you if
You are facing a concrete issue that needs an answer, not a program. You may be choosing between vendors, architectures, or approaches, dealing with a recent incident, or preparing for regulatory or board scrutiny. You want an experienced outside view to confirm, challenge, or refine your thinking before you commit. You are not looking to outsource leadership, only to make one decision well.
Advisory CTOx ($2,000-$6,000/mo)
What you get
You get ongoing access to experienced judgment to help you avoid avoidable mistakes as you lead technology yourself. The value is not execution, but perspective: setting boundaries, clarifying priorities, and pressure-testing decisions before they become expensive or irreversible. This helps you move faster with confidence, knowing that your decisions are grounded, proportionate, and explainable.
This is for you if
You want to remain hands-on and in control, but do not want to rely only on your own experience or your vendors' advice. You may have a capable team, but lack a second pair of experienced eyes when decisions feel unclear or risky. You prefer to do the work yourself, but want reassurance that you are asking the right questions and choosing reasonable paths. You value independence, but not isolation.
Classic CTOx ($5,000-$12,000/mo)
What you get
You get consistent technology leadership at the decision-making level without adding a full-time executive. The focus is on coherence: clear goals, aligned priorities, defined accountability, and decisions that hold together across teams and vendors. This reduces noise, prevents drift, and creates a shared frame for making and explaining technology decisions over time.
This is for you if
Your organization feels busy but not aligned. You may have multiple vendors, internal teams, or initiatives moving in parallel without a clear governing logic. Decisions are being made, but not always connected to explicit goals or constraints. You need someone to own the decision framework, not the day-to-day tasks, and to provide leadership you can stand behind internally and externally.
Hands-on CTOx ($8,000-$20,000/mo)
What you get
You get the same decision-level leadership as classic CTOx, with additional support in carrying execution where capacity or experience is constrained. This helps translate decisions into action without losing intent, context, or control. The value lies in reducing execution risk while maintaining clear ownership, priorities, and accountability.
This is for you if
You are under delivery pressure and cannot afford misalignment between decisions and execution. Your team may be stretched, dealing with legacy systems, or operating in a high-stakes environment where mistakes are costly. You need leadership that stays close enough to execution to ensure decisions are implemented as intended, without turning into unmanaged operational overhead.