Frequently Asked Questions

Digital Foundry designs and builds custom digital products and platforms for large enterprises and government organizations. We focus on complex systems—legacy modernization, data-intensive platforms, regulated environments, and AI-enabled products—where off-the-shelf software or large system integrators fall short.

Digital Foundry is a strong fit when:

• The problem is ambiguous, high-risk, or politically complex
  
  
• The system involves legacy platforms, custom data models, or regulatory constraints
  
  
• You need senior engineers and designers embedded with your team
  
  
• You want to move quickly without committing to a multi-year SI program

We are not the right choice if:

• You are primarily looking for staff augmentation
  
  

• The work is purely implementation of a well-defined COTS product
  
  
• You need a large offshore delivery model
  
  
• Lowest-cost delivery is the primary decision factor
  

We build production systems. Many engagements start with discovery or prototyping, but our work regularly progresses into live, customer-facing and mission-critical platforms that run for years.

Most engagements begin with a time-boxed discovery or assessment (often 6–12 weeks) focused on:

• Understanding the real problem (not just the stated requirements)
  
  
• Evaluating technical and organizational constraints
  
  
• Producing tangible outputs—prototypes, architecture, and a delivery roadmap
  
  

This reduces risk before committing to a larger build.

Digital Foundry operates with:

• Senior-led teams (no bait-and-switch)
  
  
• Smaller, accountable delivery groups
  
  
• A bias toward clarity, speed, and working software
  
  
• Deep collaboration with client teams rather than process-heavy handoffs
  
  

We optimize for outcomes, not billable hours or headcount growth.

Yes. We have extensive experience in government, healthcare, financial services, and other regulated environments, including identity, security, accessibility, compliance, and data governance requirements.

We assume legacy systems are part of the solution, not a mistake to rip out. Our work typically focuses on:

• Progressive modernization
  
  
• Strangler patterns and integration layers
  
  
• Improving usability and data access without destabilizing core systems

We use AI as a tool inside disciplined engineering workflows, not as a replacement for judgment. This includes:

• Accelerating discovery and analysis
  
  
• Prototyping AI-enabled features
  
  
• Using AI to improve development efficiency, testing, and insight generation
  
  

We are explicit about where AI adds value—and where it introduces risk.

Clients own the software delivered under our agreements, including code produced with AI assistance. We treat AI-generated output as reviewed, curated engineering work, not autonomous production.

We emphasize:

• Human review and accountability
  
  
• Clear provenance of generated artifacts
  
  
• Security and data-handling discipline
  
  
• Alignment with client legal and compliance standards
  
  

AI is integrated thoughtfully, not blindly.

We frequently work alongside internal engineering, product, and IT teams. Our role is often to:

• Accelerate progress
  
  
• Bring clarity and momentum
  
  
• Tackle the hardest or most uncertain parts of the problem
  
  

Transfer knowledge rather than create dependency

Digital Foundry engagements are typically project-based or milestone-based, not open-ended time-and-materials. Pricing reflects senior expertise and accountability rather than volume staffing.

We focus on reducing total cost of ownership, not just initial build cost.

Clients usually see tangible outputs—working software, prototypes, or concrete findings—within the first few weeks, not months. Early momentum is a core part of our approach.

The best first step is a conversation about the problem you are trying to solve, not a detailed RFP. We can help determine whether Digital Foundry is the right partner before either side commits further.