Leakage Index measures how much value, effort, or resources leak out of the system instead of producing outcomes.
Leakage is not only corruption.
Leakage includes:
Wasted spending
Bureaucratic friction
Misaligned incentives
Rework loops
Projects that never land
Losses from poor coordination
This sensor measures systemic inefficiency.
What This Sensor Measures
Leakage Index measures:
Gap between resources in and outcomes out
Waste and rework levels
Corruption or rent-seeking signals (as function)
Friction losses from delays
Policy-to-reality loss rate
How to Read This Sensor
Healthy signal
Resources convert into outcomes with minimal waste
Rework declines
Projects complete
Incentives align with results
Leakage shrinks over time
Danger signal
Budgets rise but outcomes stall
Rework becomes normal
Projects fail silently
Incentives reward non-outcomes
Leakage grows and erodes trust
Thresholds
Level 1: Low leakage
High conversion efficiency, low waste
Level 2: Mild leakage
Some waste, manageable
Level 3: High leakage
Waste rises, outcomes weaken, trust declines
Level 4: Severe leakage
System loses capacity, coordination collapses
Level 5: Drain state
Leakage consumes surplus, brittleness accelerates
Minimum Viable Test
Take one program or project:
Compare resources spent vs delivered outcomes.
If repeated projects show large gaps, leakage is high.
Repair Actions
Increase accountability clarity
https://edukatesg.com/governance-sensor-accountability/
Reduce coordination cost
https://edukatesg.com/civilisation-sensor-coordination/
Strengthen truth flow and cross-check metrics
https://edukatesg.com/governance-sensor-truth-flow/
Use recurrence logic: if waste repeats, repair is not real
https://edukatesg.com/planet-sensor-recurrence/
Links
Governance OS Sensors Directory
https://edukatesg.com/governance-os-sensors/
Civilisation Sensor: Repair Rate
https://edukatesg.com/civilisation-sensor-repair/
Canonical Statement
Leakage Index measures how much value is lost before becoming outcomes. High leakage reduces surplus, raises constraints, and accelerates brittleness.