What you will learn in Think Like a CTO
Chapter by chapter
Concepts explained in this book
- CTOThe organizational position and set of responsibilities associated with serving as a chief technology officer.
- due diligenceDue diligence is a systematic investigation and evaluation performed before making a significant decision or accepting responsibility.
- job interviewAn interview is a structured conversation used to evaluate a person's suitability for a role or to gather information.
- technology visionA strategic view, typically expressed as a statement, of how technology should support and shape an organization's future direction.
- logLogging is the recording of system or application events in persistent logs for monitoring, diagnosis, auditing, or analysis.
- disaster recoveryA disaster recovery strategy is a planned approach for restoring services after a disruptive event by transferring operations to an alternate environment.
- licenseA software license is a legal instrument specifying the permissions, restrictions, and conditions governing use, modification, distribution, or commercialization of software.
- skills matrixA skills matrix is a structured grid that maps team members, roles, or competency areas to required skills and proficiency levels.
- modernization initiativeModernization is the process of updating an existing software system so that it can be maintained, supported, or operated with current technology and practices.
- cloud computingCloud computing is on-demand access to shared computing resources and services delivered over a network, typically billed according to consumption.
- backup and restoreA backup is a standby system, copy, or retained resource that can support restoration or continued operation after a failure.
- intellectual propertyIntellectual property is a legally protected creation of the mind, such as software, inventions, written works, or designs.
- cloud-native architectureA cloud-native project is a software project architected to exploit the elasticity and managed capabilities of cloud computing platforms.
- documentationDocumentation is the practice and resulting body of recording information about systems, processes, decisions, or work so it can be understood and maintained over time.
- monitoringMonitoring is the continuous observation and measurement of software or infrastructure behavior to detect problems and assess operational status.
- platformA foundational software or technology system on which a company's products, services, or further capabilities are built and operated.
- single point of failureA single point of failure is a component whose failure can disrupt or halt a system because no adequate redundant alternative is available.
- technology stackA technology stack is the set of programming languages, frameworks, infrastructure, and other technologies used to build and operate a software system.
- evaluation criterionAn interview criterion is a defined quality, capability, outcome, or standard used to evaluate a candidate for a role.
- job postingA job listing is a public description of an available employment position and its requirements.
- interview processAn interview process is a structured sequence for evaluating a person's suitability for employment through interviews and related selection activities.
- self-hostingThe provision and operation of software on computing infrastructure owned or controlled at the organization's own premises.
- legacy systemA software application built on older technology that remains in operation despite limitations in support, portability, or maintainability.
- customer supportCustomer service is the assistance and interactions provided to customers before, during, or after they receive a product or service.
- exit walkAn exit walk is the practice of escorting an interview candidate from the premises after an interview while informally gathering additional impressions.
- budgetA budget is a financial plan that estimates and controls an organization's expected income and expenditures.
- securityAn operational setting in which systems, data, and activities are protected against unauthorized access, misuse, disruption, or compromise.
- support contractCommercial support is paid assistance, maintenance, or service coverage provided for a software product.
- product developmentProduct development is the process of designing, building, and iterating a product.
- annual reviewAn annual review is a periodic formal assessment of an employee's performance and development, typically conducted once each year.
- onboardingClient onboarding is the process of introducing clients to a company's products, services, and ways of working.
- hardwarePhysical computing equipment and connected electronic devices that support or participate in software and network operations.
- goalA desired outcome or target that gives a project its purpose and provides a basis for judging completion.
- redundancyRedundancy is the provision of duplicate or alternative components or paths so a system can continue operating when one fails.
- versioningVersion control is a system or practice for tracking, comparing, and managing changes to files over time.
- organizational politicsOffice politics is organizational conflict or influence behavior driven by emotion and personal interests rather than shared factual information.
- employee turnoverAttrition is the reduction of an organization's workforce through employee departures that are not immediately replaced.
- hiring eventA hiring event is an organizational circumstance that creates or changes the need for a team member.
- burnoutBurnout is a state of physical or emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged work-related stress or excessive demands.
- CEOThe chief executive officer is the senior executive responsible for leading and directing an organization.
- remote workRemote work is a work arrangement in which people perform job duties away from a central organizational workplace, typically using digital communication and collaboration tools.
- metricA metric is a quantifiable measure used to assess a condition, activity, or outcome.
- style guideA coding standard is a documented rule set governing the style, structure, and practices used in source code.
- sensitive informationSensitive data is information requiring additional protection because unauthorized access or disclosure could cause harm or violate obligations.
- key person riskKey person risk is the operational risk created by relying excessively on one individual for unique knowledge, skills, or responsibilities.
- data lakeA data lake is a large-scale storage repository that retains data in its original or varied formats for later processing and analysis.
- cloud elasticityThe ability of a system to automatically adjust provisioned resources in response to changing demand.
- cloud providerA cloud provider is a service provider that delivers on-demand computing, storage, networking, or software capabilities over a network.
- hybrid deploymentA cloud environment that combines private-cloud and public-cloud resources and allows workloads or capacity to span them.
- private cloudA cloud computing environment dedicated to one organization and managed with cloud-style provisioning and resource controls.
- one-on-one meetingA one-on-one meeting is a private, recurring conversation between a manager and an individual team member focused on the person's well-being, concerns, and development.
- organizational visionA concise description of an organization's desired future state or end result.
- open sourceA software development and distribution model in which source code is available under a license permitting use, modification, and redistribution.
- service-level agreementA service-level agreement is a contractually defined agreement that specifies the service commitments, performance levels, and consequences for failing to meet them.
- job titleA job title is a designation associated with a person's position that signals responsibilities, experience, status, or authority.
- uptimeUptime is the proportion or duration of time during which a system or service is available and operating normally.
- ticket systemA system for recording, assigning, tracking, and resolving units of work through identifiable tickets and status changes.
- hiringHiring is the process of recruiting and employing a person to perform work for an organization.
- data centerA data center is a facility containing computing, storage, networking, power, and environmental infrastructure for operating information systems.
- hardware inventoryA hardware inventory is a maintained record of an organization's physical computing equipment and its identifying, configuration, lifecycle, and access information.
- serverA server is a computing system or software service that provides resources or functionality to other systems over a network.
- hostingHosting is the provision and operation of computing infrastructure on which software applications or services run.
- code reviewCode review is the systematic examination of source code by developers to identify problems and improve quality before or during integration.
- project managementProject management is the discipline of planning, coordinating, and controlling work to achieve defined project objectives.
- project managerA professional responsible for planning, coordinating, and controlling the work and delivery of a project.
- software updateThe process of applying software updates to correct defects, address vulnerabilities, or improve behavior.
- human errorHuman error is an unintended mistake made by a person while performing a task or operating a process.
- microservice architectureA microservices architecture structures a system as independently deployable services that are narrowly scoped and communicate through defined interfaces.
- agile software developmentAn iterative development and project-management approach that delivers work in small increments and adapts plans based on feedback and changing requirements.
- data warehouseA data warehouse is a database optimized for analytical queries, reporting, and business intelligence over consolidated datasets.
- data storageData storage is the retention of data on physical or digital media so that it can be accessed and used later.
- NoSQL databaseA NoSQL database stores data without requiring the fixed tabular structure and schema constraints typical of relational databases.
- deployment pipelineAn automated sequence of software integration, compilation, testing, packaging, and deployment steps.
- security breachA security breach is an incident in which unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or compromise of systems or data occurs.
- programming languageA formal language used to express instructions and computations for execution by a computer.
- team charterA team charter is a concise document defining a team's purpose, responsibilities, expectations, resources, and contribution to the wider organization.
- whiteboard sessionWhiteboarding is collaborative visual sketching and discussion of ideas, designs, or system behavior on a writable surface.
- feedbackInformation about a person's behavior or performance provided to support understanding or improvement.
- hard skillA hard skill is a specific technical or task-related capability that can be evaluated through demonstrable knowledge or performance.
- review processA review process is a structured evaluation of a person's work, performance, progress, or development over a defined period.
- domain knowledgeDomain knowledge is specialized understanding of a particular industry, business area, or subject matter.
- full-time employeeA full-time employee is a person hired directly onto an organization's payroll to work an ongoing full-time role under an employment relationship.
- frameworkA reusable software foundation that provides conventions and supporting components for building applications or automation systems.
- supplierA vendor is an external provider that sells or supplies software, products, or services to an organization.
- testTesting is the systematic evaluation of software behavior or documented procedures by execution or review to reveal gaps and verify intended results.
- leadership styleA management style is a leader's characteristic approach to directing, supporting, and communicating with a team.
- burn rateBurn rate is the amount of money an organization or department spends over a specified period, typically monthly or yearly.
- clientA person or organization that receives products or services from another organization, typically in a business relationship.
- monolithic architectureA monolithic architecture packages an application or substantial part of an enterprise as a single tightly coupled deployable unit.
- build processA build process is a sequence of automated or manual steps that transforms source code and related inputs into deployable software.
- mean time to failureTime to failure is the expected or observed duration until a hardware component stops functioning.
- return on investmentA financial metric comparing the value or savings generated by an initiative with the money spent on it.
- meeting minutesMeeting notes are a written record of the topics, information, discussions, and decisions from a meeting.
- waterfall methodologyA project-development approach that plans and defines as much as possible before implementation begins and proceeds through largely sequential stages.
- discoveryA discovery phase is a structured period of investigation in which systems, capabilities, problems, and improvement opportunities are examined before major execution begins.
- first 100 daysThe first 100 days is an executive-transition planning pattern that structures observation, discovery, and initial improvements during the start of a new role.
- componentA component is a distinct major part of a software system that contributes a defined capability or function.
- training programTraining is the structured instruction that develops users' knowledge and ability to use a product, system, or process.
- vulnerabilityA security vulnerability is a weakness in software or a system that can be exploited to compromise confidentiality, integrity, availability, or otherwise cause unauthorized harm.
- scorecardScorecard methodology is a structured evaluation method that records interview observations and assigns comparable ratings to candidates.
- board meetingA board meeting is a formal gathering of directors, investors, and guests that reviews an organization's strategic direction, major initiatives, and financial condition.
- shared business languageShared terminology and meanings that enable different groups to communicate consistently.
- maximum tolerable downtimeDowntime tolerance is the maximum period of service unavailability an organization can accept during recovery.
- leadershipThe ability to direct, motivate, and influence people toward shared organizational goals.
- tenderA tender is a formal procurement process in which suppliers are invited to propose a price and approach for specified work.
- cold standbyCold standby is a recovery configuration in which standby services are not actively running and must be started before they can serve workloads.
- commoditizationCommoditization is the process by which a technology or process becomes standardized, broadly acceptable, and available as a relatively interchangeable commodity.
- technical debtTechnical debt is the accumulated cost of choosing short-term technical solutions that make future software maintenance or change more difficult.
- code analysisCode analysis is the automated examination of source code for quality, correctness, compliance, or security issues.
- releaseA software release is a version of software made available for deployment or use, containing a defined set of changes or fixes.
- branchA named line of development in a version-control repository that can diverge from and later be integrated with another line.
- Git FlowA Git branching model with separate master and develop branches and feature branches merged into develop before release.
- GitHub flowA simplified Git branching model centered on a main branch and short-lived feature branches that are reviewed, tested, and merged for deployment.
- parallel developmentA software-development approach in which multiple lines of work proceed concurrently and are later integrated.
- versioning patternA prescribed arrangement of branches, integrations, releases, and related version-control practices.
- contractorA self-employed person engaged directly to provide services for a limited scope or period.
- auditAn audit is a systematic examination of records, controls, or activities to verify compliance, accountability, or correctness.
- vendor lock-inVendor lock-in is a condition in which dependence on a provider makes it difficult or impractical to move software or services to another provider.
- video interviewA video interview is an employment interview conducted through real-time audiovisual communication over a network.
- build strategyA build strategy is an approach for deciding which capabilities an organization should develop internally, especially those that provide unique competitive value.
- decision makingA decision is a choice among alternatives that commits a person or organization to a course of action.
- phased delivery strategyA method of implementing a plan through successive stages with limited commitments and intermediate results.
- severitySeverity is the degree of harmful impact or consequence associated with an issue or finding.
- retention policyA retention policy specifies how long data must be kept and when or how it may be deleted or archived.
- development costsDevelopment costs are expenditures required to create, test, and improve a company's product or software.
- production costsExpenditures associated with delivering and operating a product or service for clients.
- support costsExpenditures for maintaining a system and assisting clients when issues or requests arise.
- promotionA promotion is an advancement to a role or level with greater responsibility, authority, or status.
- expectationAn expectation is a clearly communicated standard about how an interaction, responsibility, or situation should proceed.
- no-update-updateA periodic incident-status communication that reports no substantive change while keeping stakeholders informed.
- transactionA transaction is a negotiated business event involving an exchange of ownership, assets, money, or other contractual value.
- infrastructureInfrastructure is the collection of computing, networking, storage, and operational components that support software execution.
- technical strategyA set of technology choices, priorities, and plans that guides a company's technical development and execution.
- vice president of engineeringAn engineering executive who commonly manages the logistics and operations of an engineering organization.
- attack surfaceThe complete set of points, interfaces, systems, and pathways through which an attacker could compromise or leak organizational assets.
- proof of conceptA proof of concept is a limited implementation or demonstration used to test whether a proposed solution is technically feasible or suitable.
- passive-aggressive behaviorIndirect expression of hostility or resistance through obstructive, sarcastic, or otherwise detrimental behavior rather than direct discussion.
- mentoringMentorship is sustained guidance and developmental support provided by a more experienced person to a less experienced person.
- self-awarenessSelf-awareness is the capacity to recognize and evaluate one's own thoughts, behavior, abilities, and effects on others.
- elevator pitchA concise spoken presentation intended to explain an initiative and persuade listeners to support it or seek more information.
- custom softwareCustom software is software developed specifically for the needs of a particular organization or client.
- agendaA meeting agenda is an ordered list or plan specifying the topics and sequence of activities for a meeting.
- vision pillarA major foundational capability or technology component on which an organization's vision and execution depend.
- career developmentA career is a person's evolving sequence of occupations, responsibilities, and professional development over time.
- role-playing scenarioA role-play scenario is a structured simulation in which participants act as specified roles to reveal processes, knowledge, or behavior.
- business secretA trade secret is confidential business or technical information that derives value from not being publicly known and is protected through reasonable secrecy measures.
- cultural fitCultural fit is the degree to which a person, team, or organization aligns with another organization's values, norms, and ways of working.
- data roomA data room is a controlled repository for storing and sharing confidential documents during transactions or investigations.
- workflowA defined and repeatable way of organizing work and making decisions within an organization.
- backup zoneA backup zone is a separate computing or deployment environment prepared to take over service operation after failure of the primary environment.
- statement of workA statement of work is a formal agreement that specifies the services, scope, and expected outcomes to be provided by a supplier or contractor.
- structured demotionA structured demotion is a planned reassignment of a person to a lower role level whose responsibilities and expectations match their capabilities.
- transparencyAn organizational communication practice of making relevant information understandable and available to affected people while respecting confidentiality constraints.
- postmortemA postmortem is a structured review conducted after an event to examine what happened, what went well, and what should improve.
- ad hoc meetingA meeting arranged as needed for a small, explicitly defined set of discussion topics.
- engineering meetingA recurring meeting in which an engineering group receives shared updates about progress, releases, customers, processes, and organizational changes.
- interactive meetingA structured business meeting in which participants follow explicit rules to focus discussion and achieve a desired outcome.
- town hall meetingA meeting focused on a specific topic in which a presenter explains the subject and participants ask questions openly.
- decision paralysisDecision paralysis is an inability or unwillingness to choose a course of action because of excessive deliberation or fear of making the wrong choice.
- autonomyAutonomy is the authority of a person or team to make decisions and handle work independently within defined boundaries.
- Five WhysThe five whys is an iterative root-cause analysis technique that repeatedly asks why to narrow an observed problem to underlying causes.
- guardrailA software guardrail is a software-enforced constraint or check that prevents unsafe, invalid, or unintended operations.
These guides are generated from the text of Manning books by Manning's knowledge graph and link to the sections they draw on. The full books are available on liveBook and at manning.com.