Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment

by Daniel Kahneman

we introduce the idea of a noise audit, designed to measure how much disagreement there is among professionals considering the same cases within an organization.

decision hygiene.

We urge both private and public organizations to conduct noise audits and to undertake, with unprecedented seriousness, stronger efforts to reduce noise. Should they do so, organizations could reduce widespread unfairness—and reduce costs in many areas.

wherever there is judgment, there is noise—and more of it than you think.

More generally, people who deal with organizations expect a system that reliably delivers consistent judgments. They do not expect system noise.

Most organizations prefer consensus and harmony over dissent and conflict.