Score an SME CTO on Five Dimensions
SME CTO
Companion to The CTO You Actually Need · Updated 2026-09-29
| Dimension | Hiring evidence | 90 days | 180 days | One year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Control and visibility | Took control of vendor-heavy or fragmented estates | Critical systems, owners, contracts, cost, and risks are visible | Priorities and vendor decisions are moving | Company can judge, negotiate, operate, and exit key technology choices |
| Business adoption | Delivered operating change, not only systems | Business owners and process consequences are identified | Selected improvements have adoption and benefit evidence | Old cost or work retires as new capability becomes normal |
| Risk and resilience | Improved practical security and recovery | Material exposures and urgent actions are clear | Controls and recovery are tested and owned | Risk is managed as a business decision rather than supplier paperwork |
| Investment focus | Stopped weak projects and simplified portfolios | Stop-doing list and roadmap are credible | Fewer active initiatives and clearer benefits | Spending is more intentional, with fewer stranded programs |
| Internal capability | Reduced dependence on vendors or one person | Team and sourcing gaps are known | Ownership and knowledge are transferring | Business has stronger judgment without depending on CTO or supplier |
Critical failure examples. Arrives with a vendor solution, launches a broad transformation before control exists, treats adoption as a business problem after delivery, or becomes the new dependency.