Methodology
How we measure red tape.
A single framework — the RTI Engine — drives every Red Tape Index. This page is the entry point: read how it works in general, then dive into the specific methodology for each live index.
The dataset
Turning raw data into actionable intelligence.
500+
Jurisdictions
50K+
Indicators
12M
Data Points
How It Works
The RTI Engine.
01
Data Collection
Automated ingestion from 50K+ indicators across public and private sources. Updated quarterly.
02
Validation & Scoring
Proprietary methodology quantifies regulatory complexity into comparable scores per jurisdiction.
03
Ranking & Analysis
Jurisdictions ranked by composite and category-specific scores with trend analysis.
04
Reporting & Distribution
Published as interactive dashboards, reports, and API feeds for partners and stakeholders.
Data Sources
Grounded in public data.
National Public Datasets
Government databases, regulatory filings, and public records across all tracked jurisdictions.
Council & Department Data
Direct partnerships with local government authorities providing operational data feeds.
Reputable Private Sources
Validated private-sector data from compliance providers, industry bodies, and research institutions.
Per-Index Methodology
Dive into a specific index.
Each index applies the RTI Engine to a different domain. The indicators, weights, and data sources are jurisdiction-specific — read the methodology that applies to where you want to evaluate.
Building & Construction
Index hubHow efficiently can you build? Ranking jurisdictions on construction approvals, regulatory compliance, and development performance.
AU
Australia
Aggregates permit speed, transparency, household income, business activity, construction volume, population growth, construction cost, regulatory restrictions and requirements, development delays, and payroll tax.
Data Center Readiness
Index hubWhere can you build the next data center? Ranking jurisdictions on power availability, permitting speed, tax incentives, and infrastructure readiness.
US
United States
A composite ranking of US states on eight dimensions of the raw operating environment for new hyperscale and AI-focused data center development. DCRI measures friction — the inherent quality of power, water, climate, labor, economics, interconnection, grid reliability, and permitting — not existing market footprint.
Permitting
Index hubHow fast can you build? Ranking jurisdictions on permit speed, regulatory friction, and bureaucratic efficiency.
US
United States
A composite of permit speed (53%), tags (32%), growth (10%), and reporting coverage (5%), scored 0–100 with peer-tier comparisons by population.
Coming Soon
Indices in our pipeline.
Methodology for these indices is in development. Sign up via the partner CTA below if you represent a data source we should be talking to.
Agentic AI Workforce
Regulatory readiness for autonomous AI agents in the workforce — hiring rules, liability frameworks, and deployment barriers across jurisdictions.
Healthcare
Regulatory burden across healthcare licensing, drug approvals, hospital permitting, and cross-border healthcare delivery.
Rare Earths & Resources
Permitting speed, export controls, and regulatory complexity for critical mineral extraction and rare earth supply chains.
Security & Compliance
Built to enterprise standards.
We hold ourselves to enterprise-grade security and compliance standards. Our platform is built and operated against the controls required by ISO 27001, ensuring the data trusted to us is handled with the rigor expected by global institutions.
ISO 27001
Become a Partner
Want your data included?
We're always looking for new data sources and partnerships. If you represent a government agency, regulatory body, or data provider, we'd love to hear from you.
Become a Partner