Technical turnaround for critical projects

When tech turns into a construction site, you don’t need coaching – you need leadership.

The product launch has failed.
The team is overwhelmed or unresponsive.
Stakeholders are escalating. Customers are unhappy.
And the CTO has lost perspective.

In these moments, frameworks don’t matter.
What matters is clear leadership under pressure – structured, measurable, and effective.

Typical crisis symptoms

  • Features are delayed because no one is making decisions
  • Stakeholders are losing trust in the tech team
  • The CTO is too close to the situation – or already overwhelmed
  • Turnover is rising, culture is deteriorating, communication is breaking down
  • The product feels overloaded – yet still not ready for release

Our approach: Leadership accountability when things get tight

We take over the operational leadership of your technical organization – with a clear role, transparent prioritization, and a focus on restoring team effectiveness. What we deliver:

System analysis

Architecture, processes, organization, leadership

Prioritization

What really matters? What’s causing delays? What gets cut?

Stabilization

Communication, cadence, leadership structure

Rebuilding

Roles, planning, processes, roadmap

Handover

To future CTOs, VPs, or team leads – cleanly structured and documented

More Than Tech

IT turnaround is not a project. It’s an act of leadership.

Treating symptoms wastes time.
Leading creates clarity, direction, and control.

Our turnaround formats step in where operational leadership is missing – or overwhelmed.
We stop uncontrolled growth, resolve structural bottlenecks, and bring your team back to manageable productivity.

What you get with IT turnaround management

  • Immediate leadership in crisis – no “enablement,” just execution
  • Clarity on system status, responsibilities, and leverage points
  • A structured, actionable roadmap for technical recovery
  • Handover to stable leadership – without disruption or downtime
  • Reintegration of the team into real delivery capability

IT turnaround process – Impact from day one

01
02
03
04

Check-In

Crisis assessment & mandate definition

Taking over leadership

30–90 days of leadership takeover in engineering

Stabilization phase

Stabilization phase: clarity, structure, communication

Handover

Handover to new or existing leadership figures

For whom IT recovery management is critical

  • Founders & investors when tech and product are spiraling out of control
  • Organizations facing high turnover, failing delivery, and collapsing communication
  • CTOs who have lost oversight – or are being overwhelmed by reality

Book your 15-minute assessment – where does your tech organization really stand?

If tech is running the show – it’s time to take the wheel.

Every week without leadership increases the risk.

Acting now saves months of lost productivity and team frustration.

Book your initial consultation now

About Philipp Deutscher Consulting

Philipp Deutscher Consulting stands for clarity, structure, and impact in tech organizations – especially in critical moments. As an experienced CTO coach and Fractional CTO, I follow a clear mission: I bring leadership and stable structures to where they’re needed most. At the same time, my team and I support aspiring CTOs with tailored coaching to prepare the next generation of tech leaders.

We don’t work on the surface – we go deeper. No excuses, no detours.

Our strength lies where others lose their grip – we take the lead and ensure tech organizations remain successful in the long run.

25+

Success stories

About us
Testimonials

What our clients say

clients say

Philipp is one of the rare professionals in his combination of being a proven CTO and with strong CEO capabilities. Philipp's strategic understanding and business expertise are exceptional. He demonstrated a profound ability to envision transformative business solutions. He inspires trust and confidence from everyone involved. His adeptness at navigating complex investment landscapes and his knack for fostering collaborative partnerships are truly commendable. Philipp is a visionary and experienced leader whose capabilities extend far beyond conventional consultancy, making him a highly recommended asset for any forward-thinking enterprise in the tech sector.

Marten von Velsen-ZerweckCEO, Noocoon

I've come to see Philipp not only as an exceptional tech leader, but also as a remarkably genuine and dedicated professional. His interpersonal skills and his natural ability to understand and connect with his team are truly a sight to behold. He guides his team members with compassion and empowers them to reach their full potential, all while fostering a sense of shared responsibility and commitment towards achieving our goals. Philipp's personal dedication to growth and results have been instrumental in driving the transformation within our organization. He is a true asset to any team, and I cannot recommend him highly enough.

Albrecht von SendenCTO, Tipico

Philipp's strategic and analytical approach proved invaluable during his tenure with TeamViewer, particularly during assignments requiring cross-cultural understanding and leadership. His problem-solving skills and profound management of technical complexities boosted our team efficiency, while his agile transformation expertise inspired a growth-oriented culture. The broad perspective and technical leadership expertise Philipp brought to the table was essential to our business success.

Dr. Mike EisseleCTO, TeamViewer

Philipp is the kind of leader who believes in getting the job done right - and he has the technical savvy and strategic insight to make it happen. His approach to technology and leadership isn't just about finding a solution; it's about finding the most efficient and innovative way forward. He's a champion for growth and accountability, consistently inspiring his teams to reach new heights. More than that, he ensures that every piece of the puzzle - from big-picture strategy to granular details - aligns perfectly. In my experience, that's the kind of leadership that drives real change and success.

Alexander WindbichlerCEO, Anexia

In my work with Philipp during our Agile transformation project at Tipico, I was continually impressed by his strategic thinking and the dedication he brought to excellence. His mix of tech expertise and dynamic leadership transformed not just systems, but also the people and the processes around them. If you're in the tech space and need a visionary leader who can effectively bridge the gap between technology and business, I highly recommend Philipp.

Karl BredemeyerManaging Partner, Netzwerkknoten, Unternehmensberatung GmbH

Philipp made a significant impact on our tech initiatives at BEONTRA. His blend of strategic vision, technical acumen and team leadership was instrumental in driving innovation and efficiency. Reflecting on his current role as an Interim CTO and Tech Leader, it's evident that his attributes continue to create transformative solutions in the tech industry.

Manuel HeidlerCEO, BEONTRA

Philipp is an authentic leader. Clear in his thoughts, mindful with his words and proactively giving direction. Finesse is important to him when it comes to building high performance teams in tech. I feel his impact and presence every time we meet. Sparring thoughts is always enriching with Philipp, he makes you think twice. There is no black and white with him, he respects the grey and and they change of matters and can find creative approaches for ambiguity. I would call this a true leadership skill for future-oriented organisational development.

Elisabeth Heckmann Executive Coach & Head of People Ryte, foobar Agency
Philipp Deutscher Consulting

Additional services by Philipp Deutscher Consulting

Interim CTO

Interim leadership that ensures stability and creates clear structures during transitional phases.

Fractional CTO

Temporary technical leadership to drive growth and enable fast decision-making.

Tech Leadership Advisory

Structured leadership for CTOs and engineering leads: sparring, coaching, and systematic development for long-term success.

Incident Management

Managing acute crises, analyzing root causes, and implementing rapid recovery measures – for long-term system stability.

Agile Coaching

Agility as a mindset: take responsibility, create clarity, and implement agile practices with measurable impact.

Tech Restructuring & Modernization

Structured refactoring, system modernization, and reducing technical debt – without disrupting product delivery.

Schedule your free consultation now

FAQ

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

What is IT turnaround management?

IT turnaround management is the process in which external experts take over technical leadership to guide a company out of a crisis. It includes root cause analysis, prioritization, stabilization, and rebuilding of structures to quickly get the organization back on track.

IT turnaround management becomes essential when a company is facing a crisis – such as a failed product launch or an overwhelmed tech team. It's especially helpful when the internal leadership (e.g., the CTO) is unable to manage the situation on their own.

We take over technical leadership, analyze the root causes, and rapidly implement the right measures to stabilize the business and set it up for long-term success.

Change management is a long-term process focused on continuous improvement. IT turnaround management, on the other hand, focuses on a rapid response to acute crises in order to immediately stabilize the organization.

Depending on the complexity of the crisis, it usually takes a few weeks to see initial results and implement stable structures. Long-term success is ensured through the implementation of robust processes.

Contact us