Head of Product → CTO

A realistic transition from Head of Product to CTO: transferable skills, the gaps to close, a step-by-step learning plan and alternative routes. Estimated skill overlap 37%. Difficulty: Hard.

Difficulty: Hard6 stepsDuration: 16 to 20 monthsOverlap: 37%

Transition from Head of Product to CTO.

Transferable skills

  • Strategy
  • Stakeholder management
  • Team development

Skills to learn

  • Technology vision
  • Innovation
  • Architecture
  • Budget
  • Mentoring

Step-by-step learning plan

  1. 1. Build on your Head of Product experience

    2–4 weeks

    Leverage

    • Strategy
    • Stakeholder management
    • Team development

    Map transferable skills — Strategy, Stakeholder management, Team development — against what a CTO needs.

  2. 2. Learn the core of the CTO role

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • Technology vision
    • Innovation
    • Budget

    Technologies

    AWSAzureGCP

    Cover the biggest gaps first: Technology vision, Innovation, Budget.

  3. 3. Master advanced CTO skills

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • Architecture
    • Mentoring

    Technologies

    KubernetesTerraformServiceNow

    Handle the advanced topics: Architecture, Mentoring.

  4. 4. Get productive with the CTO toolchain

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    AWSAzureGCPKubernetesTerraformServiceNowJira Align

    Be hands-on with AWS, Azure, GCP and the rest of the target stack.

  5. 5. Practise CTO work in real conditions

    4–8 weeks

    Ship a portfolio project or take on CTO tasks at work.

  6. 6. Get certified and position yourself as a CTO

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    TOGAF 9 CertifiedSAFe Program ConsultantCISM

    Update your CV and LinkedIn around CTO, then apply to target roles.

Alternative routes