A method may include identifying a first set of values indicative of a present state of a software-defined network (SDN). The method may further include receiving one or more proposed changes to the SDN via an interface. The method may also include determining, based on the one or more proposed changes to the SDN, a potential state of the SDN and a second set of values indicative of the potential state of the SDN. The method may further include generating a change index based on a comparison of the first set of values with the second set of values. The method may also include providing the change index via the interface.