Index-as-a-Service
A defensible, third-party benchmark ranking more than 500 US jurisdictions on the speed, cost, and complexity of their construction approval environments — turning regulatory friction into a number cities can be measured against.
The case for an index · Already working
The Red Tape Index turns regulatory friction into a number the market can quote, your sector can act on, and reform can be measured against. Three jurisdictions already proving it.
What an index does
Lakeville, MN
3–10 days
Residential plan review — top-decile performer
Before
National average for residential plan review routinely runs 60 days or longer.
After
Top-decile performer on the Red Tape Index, turning around residential plan review in 3 to 10 days.
National
Lakeville
Inside the workflow
City of Lancaster, CA
6×
Efficiency gain on plan review — zero added headcount
Before
5 to 7 hours of manual plan review per submission, fuelling resubmittal cycles that stall construction 60 to 90 days.
After
1 to 2 hours of review per plan. 6× efficiency gain delivered with zero added headcount.
Before
After
National benchmark
Australia
67%
Australian LGAs covered — incl. 200 NSW councils
Before
No national regulatory-transparency benchmark for Australian local government. Reform debate stuck on anecdote.
After
First national benchmark for Australian local government. Now covers 67% of LGAs, including 200 New South Wales councils.
67% of LGAs
100% goal
From signature to launch
One scoping call, one sign-off, one launch event. Total client time before launch day is under ten hours. Everything else is on us.
Wks 0–1
Methodology paper, peer-reviewed and co-credited.
Wks 2–6
Index built and benchmarked against peer studies.
Wks 7–8
Quarterly flagship report.
Wks 9–10
Coordinated launch with press cycle and partner briefings.
Partnership models
Data partnership
Methodology co-credit, API access, and joint distribution of the benchmark.
Index sponsorship
Branded report distribution, executive briefings, sponsor logo, lead share.
Country index
Exclusive positioning, full data access, joint flagship report, and coordinated press cycle.
Get involved
60-min scoping call · No commitment · Replies within 2 business days