Welcome to the Government version of CTO Levels which has been adapted for the public sector. This framework is designed to help technology leaders at all levels of government apply the foundational concepts of CTO Levels to their context. This framework was adapted from CTO Levels by @Etienne de Bruin, @Kathy Keating, and @Scott Graves.
Learn more about the people behind CTO Levels Federal.
The terms of use are the same for CTO Levels and CTO Levels Federal. Learn more here.
Frequently Asked Questions
CTO Levels for Government is a work in progress. Expect this page to change frequently.
We are looking for government implementation partners! If you are interested in using CTO Levels for Government in your program, please contact [email protected].
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Unlike a commercial technology enterprise, federal, state and local programs, agencies, and departments are not designed to grow. They are designed to meet the needs of the public in the most efficient and effective way possible. While commercial technology organizations are either growing or dying, a federal technology activity can be perfectly healthy in a steady state. For this reason, CTO Levels for Government is about growing leaders not organizations.
CTO Levels for Government is divided into eleven levels, organized into four scope bands. Find the authority that best describes your role in the organization. Now take a look at this grid and see if you can find your target level! Ask yourself these questions: