A friction-adjusted ratio for measuring institutional and operational efficiency. Higher scores indicate greater value delivery relative to friction cost.
When the denominator (friction) exceeds the numerator (value), the system causes net harm. A ratio above 1 indicates positive net benefit. A ratio below 1 indicates the system extracts more than it delivers.
Measures how smoothly citizens or beneficiaries navigate policy and institutional systems. Applied to public administration, social welfare, and regulatory design.
Government · Policy · Public ServiceMeasures how smoothly employees and users complete organizational processes. Applied to enterprise automation, digital transformation, and IT systems.
Enterprise · Automation · Operations↑Fs — More users completing successfully
↑Vn — Higher value delivered
Both dimensions of success: completion rate and strategic worth. Either one failing suppresses the index.
↓Pd — Less time cost on users
↓Cf — Less cognitive burden
Friction compounds: complexity increases effective time. Denominator growth silently destroys value even when outputs look stable.
| GL Score | Status | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| > 2.0 | Excellent | Value is more than 2× friction cost. System works well for users. | Maintain. Monitor denominator creep. |
| 1.0 – 2.0 | Positive | Net positive benefit. Room for denominator reduction. | Optimize Pd and Cf systematically. |
| = 1.0 | Break-Even | Value delivered equals friction imposed. Critical threshold. | Immediate friction audit required. |
| 0.5 – 1.0 | Negative | Friction exceeds value. System is extracting more than it delivers. | Friction Audit. Redesign denominator. |
| < 0.5 | Critical | Severe structural strain. System is causing active harm. Estimated $100K–$300K hidden cost. | Urgent intervention. Full Friction Audit. |
Full 9-country dataset available on GitHub. Includes Finland, Rwanda, Estonia, Singapore, India.