--- title: "Frequently asked questions | Dagny" description: "Questions about working with Dagny, from the first proof of value to operating and improving your systems." canonical: "https://dagnylabs.ai/faq" last-updated: "2026-10-25T13:46:10Z" --- # Frequently asked questions | Dagny [HTML page](/faq) # Frequently asked questions How does the free two-week proof of concept work? The free two-week proof of concept begins once we agree scope and access. Your operators review the build as we test assumptions and align on a roadmap. Paid delivery and ongoing support are scoped together afterward. [Book a conversation](/book-a-call) to explore a first build with Dagny. [Link to this question : How does the free two-week proof of concept work?](#free-two-week-poc) How much does this cost? We price based on Build Units, our proprietary measure of how complex a task is. Pricing is not time-based, and Build Units become more efficient over time as we continue to build on shared systems. [Link to this question : How much does this cost?](#how-much-does-this-cost) What if our data or system access is not ready? Start with a walkthrough and sample data. We’ll work with your team to agree the access needed before the proof of concept begins. [Book a conversation](/book-a-call) to discuss your systems and the workflow you want to improve. [Link to this question : What if our data or system access is not ready?](#data-and-system-access) How do you price: fixed project, Build Units, or retainer? We price each scoped engagement separately and offer prepaid, discounted Build Unit packages once solutions are in place. We also offer Rails, an optional service for hosting and managing data infrastructure and applications. [Link to this question : How do you price: fixed project, Build Units, or retainer?](#how-do-you-price) What is the minimum to start? We are known for being more affordable than a standard development shop but more expensive than an out-of-the-box SaaS solution, for good reason. Our tools and services are adapted to your specific workflows, and our unit of pricing becomes more efficient over time. [Link to this question : What is the minimum to start?](#what-is-the-minimum-to-start) Who owns the code and data we build together? The code is yours. Dagny creates general-purpose software tools that can also be licensed, but anything built specifically for a partner, including data infrastructure managed by Dagny, can be owned or taken back at any time. [Link to this question : Who owns the code and data we build together?](#who-owns-the-code-and-data) Can we leave later, and what happens to the systems? Outside of pre-scoped projects, all services and tools are optional, and partners can opt out on a month-to-month basis. Dagny helps transition tools and services hosted on Rails. [Link to this question : Can we leave later, and what happens to the systems?](#can-we-leave-later) Where does our data live, and who can see the data? Data and context are siloed by customer. We take privacy seriously and have strict authentication and access controls for both external and internal users. [Link to this question : Where does our data live, and who can see the data?](#where-does-our-data-live) Are you SOC 2? Do you sign our DPA / MSA? We only work with partners who uphold the latest security and certification requirements. [Link to this question : Are you SOC 2? Do you sign our DPA / MSA?](#security-certifications-and-agreements) Do we need to replace our Salesforce, Snowflake or ERP? We can work with any systems and tools you own. Any required changes to source systems receive careful consideration and human approval. We also build and host our own tools, which can supplement or replace specific tools at a partner’s discretion. [Link to this question : Do we need to replace our Salesforce, Snowflake or ERP?](#do-we-need-to-replace-our-existing-systems) How is Dagny different from hiring an agency, a Big 4 shop, or one more FDE? We embed experts and best-in-class engineering talent who are AI-native from the start. Our nimble team moves at startup speed with enterprise precision because we’ve been operators ourselves and care about value delivered, not just products delivered. We won’t scope a project and then go away for weeks or months. You’ll have strategic partners who execute alongside you and focus on fast iteration cycles. [Link to this question : How is Dagny different from hiring an agency, a Big 4 shop, or one more FDE?](#how-is-dagny-different-from-an-agency) How is this different from buying Claude / ChatGPT Team / copilots for everyone? AI is accessible, but getting the most value from AI often requires an expert partner who can help with change management and apply engineering best practices to ensure tools work as intended, even as the environment continues to shift. We offer more than a chat tool: we are strategic partners who build with the latest advances in agentic AI. We also recognize that adoption is about combining operator expertise with creative solutions that provide the most value. [Link to this question : How is this different from buying Claude / ChatGPT Team / copilots for everyone?](#how-is-dagny-different-from-ai-chat-tools) Who actually does the work, and how senior are those people? The people who scope, communicate, and continue to iterate stay the same throughout the engagement. We are a nimble team of experts with backgrounds in startups, engineering, operations, finance, marketing, creative work, and product. We can all build with AI and understand the needs of operators who want to be more efficient day to day. We do not outsource the work. The team you see is the team you get. [Link to this question : Who actually does the work, and how senior are those people?](#who-does-the-work) How much of our team's time do you need each week? The time commitment is very low. We need access to core data systems, team members who have the most context on your workflows, and a data steward who can help validate what good looks like. [Link to this question : How much of our team's time do you need each week?](#how-much-of-our-teams-time-do-you-need) What do you need from us before week one? Before week one, we need a ranked list of the workflows and solutions that could have the most tangible impact on performance. We can help identify where these tools and our experience can address your pain points, along with an honest assessment of how to get there. We do not charge for assessments. [Link to this question : What do you need from us before week one?](#what-do-you-need-before-week-one) How fast until something useful is in our team's hands? We aim to get solutions into operators’ hands within the first two weeks. We believe in fast iteration, with quality and usability guiding each stage. Transparency around how we build and collect feedback is essential to a successful implementation. [Link to this question : How fast until something useful is in our team's hands?](#how-quickly-will-we-see-results) What does Blueprint vs Build vs Run actually mean for us day to day? Every workflow and solution requires careful scoping and clear requirements. As we learn more about your business, we store and use that context for future projects to reduce development time and cost. We continue to build prototypes and iterate on existing solutions during the Build and Run stages. During Run, we are responsible for reliability, security, and usability. [Link to this question : What does Blueprint vs Build vs Run actually mean for us day to day?](#how-does-an-engagement-work) What is a Build Unit in plain English? A Build Unit measures the effort and complexity required to complete a task. Build Units are effort-based rather than time-based. [Link to this question : What is a Build Unit in plain English?](#what-is-a-build-unit) What is Dagny Rails, and do we have to use Rails? Rails is optional and allows operators and teams to avoid managing the technical requirements and ongoing maintenance of key systems. We build with low tool complexity and maintenance needs in mind, so partners can take on full ownership whenever they choose. [Link to this question : What is Dagny Rails, and do we have to use Rails?](#where-do-the-systems-run) Who gets paged when something breaks at 2am? Dagny is committed to reliability. We do not charge Build Units for identified bugs. With Rails, we commit to proactively monitoring key systems so we can alert and act on changes in real time. [Link to this question : Who gets paged when something breaks at 2am?](#who-responds-when-something-breaks) Can you work inside our Slack / Microsoft 365 / Google Workspace? Yes, we can work within any system as long as we have API access and/or developer or administrative access. [Link to this question : Can you work inside our Slack / Microsoft 365 / Google Workspace?](#can-you-work-inside-our-workspace) Can you connect to our CRM, billing system, data warehouse, and email? Yes, we can connect key systems of record into unified databases. That foundation makes building future solutions easier. [Link to this question : Can you connect to our CRM, billing system, data warehouse, and email?](#can-you-connect-our-systems) Do you train models on our data? We do not use confidential information to inform how we work across partners. We do derive aggregated learnings from our engagements to improve our internal processes and create general-purpose tools that can be used across our customer base. [Link to this question : Do you train models on our data?](#do-you-train-models-on-our-data) Will AI hallucinate into production decisions? While we use AI for development, we build as much deterministic infrastructure as possible to remove the need for judgment in straightforward operational decisions. When inference is used, we provide clear audit capabilities and a refinement process to catch exceptions and identify improvements. [Link to this question : Will AI hallucinate into production decisions?](#will-ai-hallucinate-into-production-decisions) Can our own engineers build on top of what you ship? Yes, our systems are designed to be flexible and accessible to users who want to continue building. [Link to this question : Can our own engineers build on top of what you ship?](#can-our-engineers-build-on-your-work) What have you shipped for companies like ours? We have case studies across a variety of industries and functions. The prerequisites are sources of data and context on how workflows or existing applications and solutions are delivered today. Most of our partners start by solving manual pain points, then move to more agentic inference and growth-related initiatives once the foundation and trust are in place. [Link to this question : What have you shipped for companies like ours?](#what-have-you-shipped-for-companies-like-ours) Can we talk to a current customer? We offer select references after an initial discovery process to determine whether we’re a mutual fit. [Link to this question : Can we talk to a current customer?](#can-we-talk-to-a-current-customer) When does an engagement fail, and what do you do then? We’ve been fortunate not to have unhappy partners. We go above and beyond the scoped work to deliver value, and we do not consider an engagement complete until we’ve delivered on our commitments. [Link to this question : When does an engagement fail, and what do you do then?](#when-does-an-engagement-fail) Who is Dagny a fit for, and who should skip us? While we work with a range of clients, we’ve found that service-based businesses tend to find more pronounced use cases for AI, from operations to growth initiatives. If you’re unsure whether Dagny is a fit, give us a call and we’ll provide an honest assessment. [Link to this question : Who is Dagny a fit for, and who should skip us?](#who-is-dagny-a-fit-for) Do you only do AI, or also normal software and data work? AI and software are becoming interchangeable. We do not see ourselves as an AI-only shop. We build software, data infrastructure, integrations, and applications around your workflows, using AI where AI adds value. [Link to this question : Do you only do AI, or also normal software and data work?](#what-does-dagny-build) What happens after the first build ships? You have the option to continue iterating on and improving existing solutions, plan what comes next, or both, with a joint roadmap of solutions that build on our existing foundation. [Link to this question : What happens after the first build ships?](#what-happens-after-the-first-build) How do we start a conversation without a big RFP? Book a call, and we’ll provide an honest assessment of whether there’s a mutual fit and what the next steps could look like. [Link to this question : How do we start a conversation without a big RFP?](#how-do-we-start-a-conversation) ## What’s the first workflow you’d fix? Tell us where your team gets stuck. We’ll discuss what a first build could look like. [Book a call](/book-a-call)