FRACTIONAL TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP
Senior-level technical guidance during implementation—without the full-time hire.
Think fractional CTO/Senior Architect for your data transformation or digital thread initiative. Monthly retainer, flexible commitment.
The Problem
You have the roadmap and budget approved, but need ongoing technical leadership during execution.
Your internal team is capable but hasn't built this type of system before. Technical decisions arise constantly: architecture trade-offs, vendor selection, integration approaches, performance issues. Hiring a full-time senior architect takes months and costs $250K+ per year.
We provide on-demand technical leadership so your team can execute confidently without full-time overhead.
When You Need This
Post-Assessment Implementation
You completed assessment, have the roadmap, now need guidance as your team builds it out.
Post-Prototype Productionization
Prototype proved feasibility, now need oversight as internal team scales it to production.
Technical Decision Support
Architecture questions arise weekly: cloud vs on-prem, build vs buy, technology choices.
Vendor Evaluation & Oversight
Need objective guidance on vendor selection, RFP evaluation, implementation oversight.
What You Get
Monthly Engagement Includes:
- Architecture review sessions — Review designs, validate approaches, identify issues early
- Technical decision support — Ad-hoc guidance on technology choices, integration patterns, performance optimization
- Vendor evaluation assistance — RFP review, vendor comparison, contract review, proof-of-concept evaluation
- Code/design reviews — Spot-check critical components, validate security/compliance, recommend improvements
- Team mentoring — Upskill your team on data architecture, integration patterns, regulated industry best practices
- Risk mitigation — Identify technical risks before they become problems, recommend mitigation strategies
- Quarterly progress reviews — Assess progress against roadmap, course-correct as needed
How It Works
Flexible Engagement
Month-to-month commitment. Scale up or down based on need. Cancel anytime with 30 days notice.
Your Schedule
Monthly sessions scheduled around your team's sprints. Ad-hoc support via email/Slack with 24-48hr response.
Remote or On-Site
Virtual sessions default. On-site visits available for critical milestones (travel separate).
Example Use Cases (Illustrative)
The following are representative scenarios showing how this service applies across industries, not actual client implementations.
Example 1: Clinical Data Platform Implementation (Pharma)
Client has roadmap to build CDISC-compliant data lake. Need guidance on Azure architecture, SDTM transformation patterns, graph database design, FDA compliance validation.
Duration: 12 months | Outcome: Production platform delivered on time
Example 2: Digital Thread Implementation (Aerospace)
Client productionizing prototype connecting DOORS, CATIA, test systems. Need architecture oversight, integration pattern guidance, DO-178 compliance review.
Duration: 9 months | Outcome: FAA-compliant digital thread in production
Example 3: Data Lake Modernization (FinTech)
Client building Azure-based data lake for fraud detection ML. Need cloud architecture review, vendor selection support, data quality framework design, security validation.
Duration: 6 months | Outcome: Data lake supporting production ML models
Investment & Commitment
Standard Engagement: $15,000 - $25,000 per month
- Month-to-month commitment (no long-term contract required)
- 30 days notice to adjust or cancel
- Scales based on complexity and support level needed
- Typical engagement: 6-12 months during active implementation
Compare to full-time hire: Senior Architect $200K-$250K/year + benefits + recruiting time
Why 9Bit
Production Experience in Your Domain: Our team has built pharmaceutical data platforms (FDA-regulated, millions of subjects), blockchain marketplaces (production scale), and FinTech data strategies (regulatory compliance). Use case examples above are illustrative; actual client work is confidential.
Objective Advice: Not selling you tools or trying to extend the engagement. If your team is on the right track, we tell you. If there's a problem, we tell you early.
Regulated Industry Expertise: Deep understanding of FDA/GxP, FAA/DO-178, financial services regulation. We know how to balance innovation with compliance.
Common Engagement Patterns
Pattern 1: Assessment → Fractional CTO during implementation (most common)
Pattern 2: Prototype → Fractional CTO during productionization
Pattern 3: Standalone support for ongoing initiative
Pattern 4: Vendor oversight (guide team working with SI/consultancy)
Getting Started: 30-Minute Consultation
Discuss your implementation needs and determine appropriate support level
Contact: https://9bit-tech.com/contact | (406) 924-9248
