In this episode, we dive into the evolution of theChief Product and Technology Officer (CPTO) model, the blending of traditional engineering and product roles, and howAI, hackathons, and shifting org structures are reshaping product development. Arjun shares insights on what this means for engineers, product managers, and leadership teams, as well as the challenges of making this shift successful.

⏳ Timestamped Highlights

[00:00] Introduction

• Amir introduces Arjun Shah and sets the stage for discussing the CPTO model.

[00:01] The Traditional Product Development Model

• Breakdown of theclassic trifecta: product management, design, and engineering.

• How Agile shaped product teams over the last two decades.

[00:02] The Shift to a More Integrated Model

• Why companies are moving away from rigid role definitions.

• Engineers taking on user research, designers coding, and product managers prototyping.

[00:04] What is the CPTO Model?

• Defining theChief Product and Technology Officer role.

• Examples of companies making this shift.

• How CPTO improvesstrategy execution and alignment.

[00:06] The Impact on Engineers & ICs

• Engineers expected to care aboutbusiness outcomes, UX, and customer needs.

• Squadron model vs. Scrum model – how AI-driven teams are changing the landscape.

• New hiring criteria:product sense, entrepreneurial mindset, and data analytics.

[00:08] Measuring Success in the CPTO Model

• How do you know if the CPTO model is working?

• R&D metrics:velocity, alignment, and strategic impact.

[00:10] Hackathons: The Canary in the Coal Mine?

• The role of hackathons inbreaking down barriers between product and engineering.

• How great features and products have emerged from hackathons.

[00:14] AI’s Role in Accelerating the CPTO Model

• AI blurring functional lines and enablingfaster product iteration.

• Why "everyone is a developer" in the age ofLLMs and code generation tools.

[00:16] Risks & Failure Points of the CPTO Model

• The biggest challenge:finding the right leader for the CPTO role.

• Potential pitfalls:misalignment of product vs. engineering goals, poor org design.

• How tostructure squads and teams for success under a CPTO.

[00:19] The Right Person for the CPTO Role

• Do you need to be afounder to succeed as a CPTO?

• Why curiosity,cross-functional expertise, and product acumen are essential.

[00:22] Final Thoughts & How to Connect with Arjun

• Follow Arjun Shah on LinkedIn for more insights on product and engineering leadership.

🏆 Key Takeaways

💡The product and engineering roles are merging. Engineers today are expected to think like product managers, and PMs must understand technology.

🚀The CPTO model is gaining traction. Companies are moving away from separate CPO and CTO roles in favor of a unified leader todrive better alignment and execution.

⚡AI is changing product development. Large language models and AI-driven tools are enabling anyone to prototype, reducing barriers between roles.

🔎Finding the right CPTO is challenging. The role requiresbusiness acumen, technical expertise, and product strategy skills—a rare combination.

🎯Hackathons are an early signal. Engineers experimenting with new ideas and taking on product roles during hackathons may hint at the future of team structures.

🗣️ Quote of the Episode

“The new programming language is English. With AI, everyone can be a developer.” – Arjun Shah

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Connect with Arjun Shah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunshah/.