Foundry
Foundry is Birmingham City Council’s way of working that brings together people from different teams to quickly solve problems and improve services. It’s not just about tech—it’s about working smarter, breaking down silos, and making change happen fast, with users at the heart of it.
What Foundry is not:
- Not just events
- Not a team or a club
- Not just for digital teams
- Not another strategy sitting on a shelf
- Not business-as-usual
Why Foundry came to life:
A short narrative of the problem:
- Crisis as a catalyst
- Too many broken or slow systems
- People feeling stuck
- Foundry offers a practical, human way to build better
How Foundry works:
- Sprints = short, focused blocks of time where a team works fast on one challenge
- Build Zones = time-limited problem-solving projects inside Foundry
- Hacks = high-energy working sessions with the right people in the room to quickly build or fix something
- Multidisciplinary teams = people from different areas (digital, service, data, policy) working together
- Showcases = a way to share what’s been learned and built, fast
Why this approach
works:
- Starts with the user’s experience
- Builds things quickly and tests them
- Breaks down silos
- Reduces waste
- Helps council teams work smarter, not harder
3 months on: FoundryLIVE 2025
Innovation in Action at Alexander Stadium Back in June, more than 150 colleagues, students, and part…
The Foundry approach
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Diatomic Digital Twin: Pioneering Birmingham’s Urban Future
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Case Study: The Intranet Project
Rebuilt via Foundry → cost savings, better UX, higher engagement
Is this relevant to my council/service area?
Yes – it’s a way of working, not a niche product
Is this just digital?
No – it covers service design, process, policy, people, and delivery
Do you have proof this works?
Case studies + ongoing evaluation
How to stay in touch or learn more:
- Contact
- Invitations
- Showcase dates