The issues tech startup leaders face when managing a development team and how a fractional CTO can help?

12 Feb

Written By Ryan Ng

In the fast-paced world of startups, you can find yourself grappling with the tricky task of managing a development team. And it can be challenging. Problems are usually centred around communication, team dynamics, and aligning technical efforts with overarching business goals. A fractional Chief Technology Officer (CTO) can be a valuable ally, addressing these pain points and helping all stakeholders work in a way that’s cohesive and positive.

Cracking the communication code

One of the hurdles you might face is a communication gap that exists between your ideas and development by the tech team. Articulating business goals in a way that resonates with developers can be like speaking a different language. This disconnect often leads to misinterpretations, delays, and a misalignment of efforts.

A fractional CTO can step in as a translator. We operate in a language that resonates with boards but also those working in your development team. We act as a bridge, making sure your vision is translated into precise technical specifications. This catalyst of communication doesn’t just give your team a clearer understanding but also streamlines the development process, minimising the chances of miscommunication-induced errors.

We’ll also help you, as leaders, develop deeper technical knowledge so you feel empowered to have critical conversations yourself.

Balancing skills and collaboration

Building an effective tech team is more than just assembling a group of skilled people. The challenge lies in encouraging collaboration, overcoming personality clashes, and balancing a range of skills. Team dynamics can often be disrupted by communication breakdowns or a lack of cohesion, which can slow down progress.

In this case, a fractional CTO plays a role beyond technical expertise. They act as a facilitator, promoting effective communication and collaboration within the team. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each team member, the fractional CTO can blend skills, creating a cohesive unit that works together seamlessly.

Balancing workload and productivity

Startups often operate under resource constraints, with limited budgets and tight timelines. Managing the workload of a tech team and optimising productivity can become a juggling act. Without proper oversight, burnout and inefficiencies could set in and slow you down.

A fractional CTO can help with you plan your people. By assessing workloads, identifying bottlenecks, and introducing workflows, they can ensure that your tech team operates at peak productivity. This not only helps you efficiently use available resources but also builds a sustainable and healthy work environment.

Future-proofing your team

It may be early days for your business but to plan is to protect. Have you considered how you will upskill and train your development team for the future? Technology changes in the blink of an eye and what’s working today may not necessarily work tomorrow.

A proactive fractional CTO understands this reality and will take deliberate steps to future-proof your development team. Through strategic roadmapping, agile practices, continuous learning, scalable architecture, technology evaluation, cybersecurity vigilance, and alignment with business goals, they will equip the team with skills that allow them to adapt to change and to thrive in a dynamic industry. In this way, your CTO will become a driving force, steering the development team towards sustained success and relevance in the years to come.

People first, always.

When there’s a disconnect between leaders and employees, resentment can arise. At Scryla, we’re all about taking the people-first approach. We work with the teams you’ve got, fixing communication issues, promoting team collaboration, giving strategic advice, and optimising resources. We don’t see your people as disposable assets. Acting as a guide, Scryla will show you the way to sustainable growth and technical excellence steering you towards success.

Ryan Ng