Proof · Method

How we measure the Compression Index

The Compression Index is a specialist's baseline time divided by strategy1's time for the same deliverable.
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Definition

Compression Index =

independent specialist baseline (working hours)

strategy1 time (working hours)

No baseline, no index. Outliers shown, not trimmed.

Definition

A specialist's estimate, divided by our time

The Compression Index is a specialist's baseline time divided by strategy1's time for the same deliverable.

Compression Index = independent specialist baseline (working hours) ÷ strategy1 time (working hours)

An index of 5 means we took a fifth of the time the specialist estimated. That is an illustration of the arithmetic, not a target or a result.

Key takeaways

  • The Compression Index is an independent specialist's baseline time divided by strategy1's time for the same deliverable, both measured in working hours.
  • No baseline, no index: the specialist's estimate is written down before work starts and stored with the case evidence.
  • strategy1's time counts all of it: AI agent runs, strategist work, human review and Domain Fellow sign-off.
  • The index measures time, not quality. Every published case also shows who accepted the work and the red-team findings.
Fig 2.1Illustration of an index of 5: the actual bar is one fifth of the baseline bar. Not a target or a result.

Try the formula

Fold a baseline into your own time

Enter a baseline and an actual time. The long band folds until it matches the short one, then the index appears.

The independent estimate, written before work starts.

All working time: agent runs, strategist work, review and sign-off.

Days are working days, converted at 8 working hours a day, as in our method. Nothing you type is stored or sent.

Your numbers, not a strategy1 result.

Enter a baseline and an actual time to see the fold.

Method

How it is measured

Seven rules decide whether a number can be called a Compression Index, and how it is reported.
  1. 01

    Written baseline, before work starts

    An independent specialist estimates the same scope in writing, by email or note, before we begin. We store it with the case evidence. No baseline, no index.

  2. 02

    Our time, all of it

    Working hours from kick-off to the accepted deliverable: AI agent runs, strategist work, human review and Domain Fellow sign-off.

  3. 03

    Like for like

    Same scope, same acceptance criteria. If the specialist's estimate covered more than we delivered, we cut the baseline to match, or we do not publish an index.

  4. 04

    Waiting time

    Time spent waiting for the client (data, approvals) is excluded on both sides or on neither.

  5. 05

    Working days

    Calendar estimates are converted to working hours at 8 hours a working day, and we show the conversion.

  6. 06

    Reporting

    Per engagement first. Then the median per engine and per quarter. Outliers are shown, not trimmed.

  7. 07

    Published with its proof

    Each index is shown with its baseline document (anonymised) and the acceptance record.

Notes

  1. 1The baseline document is stored with the case evidence and linked, anonymised, from every published case.
  2. 2Taken from our time log and the timestamps on signed approvals.
  3. 3The scope is stated on every case, so a reader can see what was and was not delivered.
  4. 4The conversion is printed beside the index, for example: 5 working days × 8 hours = 40 working hours.
  5. 5Every median is shown with the number of cases behind it.
  6. 6Anonymisation removes names, figures that identify the client, locations finer than state level, and document headers or logos.

What counts as a case

All four, or it is not counted

A case is counted only when all of these exist.
  1. 1.A written baseline from an independent specialist, dated before work started.
  2. 2.A deliverable the client or the specialist accepted.
  3. 3.Our time record for the same scope.
  4. 4.The client's written permission to publish, and an anonymisation pass reviewed by a Strategy Partner.

What does not count

  • Internal demos
  • Estimates we wrote ourselves
  • Work without a written baseline
  • Work the client has not accepted

Caveats

What the index does not tell you

  1. 01

    It measures time, not quality.

    Quality is shown separately: who accepted the work, the red-team findings and the Domain Fellow sign-off.

  2. 02

    A baseline is an estimate.

    Specialists estimate differently. We name the specialist's discipline and, with permission, the specialist.

  3. 03

    Scope matters.

    Our deliverable may be pre-feasibility where a specialist would deliver detailed design. We state the scope on every case. A blueprint is not bankable engineering.

  4. 04

    Small numbers.

    Early medians rest on few cases. We show the number of cases behind every median.

  5. 05

    Hours, not calendar days.

    A high index on working hours does not mean the calendar time was as short. We show both where we have them.

FAQ

Questions about the index

What is the Compression Index?
The Compression Index is strategy1's measure of speed: an independent specialist's baseline time divided by strategy1's time for the same deliverable, both in working hours. An index of 5 means the work took a fifth of the specialist's estimate. strategy1 publishes no index without a written baseline.
What is a specialist baseline?
A specialist baseline is an independent specialist's written estimate of how long the same scope would take, made by email or note before strategy1 starts and stored with the case evidence. Calendar estimates are converted to working hours at 8 hours a working day. If the estimate covered more than strategy1 delivered, the baseline is cut to match, or no index is published.
Why does strategy1 publish the method?
Because a speed claim is only worth what a sceptical buyer can check. strategy1 publishes the rules behind every index, and each published index comes with its anonymised baseline document, its acceptance record and, for every median, the number of cases behind it. A reader who does not trust strategy1 can still check the arithmetic.
Who chooses the specialist?
The specialist is independent of strategy1's delivery pod.
Can I see the baseline?
Yes. Each published case links to its anonymised baseline document.
Do you publish slow cases?
Yes. Outliers are shown, not trimmed.

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