Signal-to-noise ratio

Signal-to-noise ratio

Signal-to-noise ratio, formally used, applies to electricity and engineering, and refers to how much of a desired signal is being received, versus how much background noise is coming through.

The same thing applies to your database. The signal is your good data; the noise is your bad data. I've argued for years that the higher your signal-to-noise ratio in your database, the more likely you are to enter the cycle of doom, where staff will no longer trust the data, and stop using it. Bad data, including outdated contacts, is noise.

In order to improve your signal-to-noise ratio, you need to continually monitor and clean your data. Here are some ways you might do that.

Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives

Why bother with a consultant when I have AI?

October 14, 2026

Why bother with a consultant when I have AI? As AI becomes increasingly powerful, the […]

Guardrails can be helpful!

October 7, 2026

Guardrails can be helpful! When selecting a new AMS, I find my clients are often […]

“If you knew this information, what might you do differently?”

September 30, 2026

“If you knew this information, what might you do differently?” I had a conversation with […]

Showing is not teaching

September 23, 2026

Showing is not teaching In my experience, when new staff members are taught how to […]

Data management is improvisation

September 16, 2026

Data management is improvisation I was listening to a podcast recently featuring TV writer Rob […]

Who own the AMS company is like the weather…

September 9, 2026

Who own the AMS company is like the weather… When I work with clients to […]

“As good or better than me.”

September 2, 2026

“As good or better than me.” I was recently speaking with a software developer working […]

Documentation is insurance

August 26, 2026

Documentation is insurance In a conversation with a client about their data management needs, the client […]

It all comes down to fundamentals

August 12, 2026

It all comes down to fundamentals I’m preparing for a webinar that I’m presenting in […]

Blog post themes over 20 years…

August 5, 2026

Blog post themes over 20 years… I’ve been writing blog posts for nearly 20 years […]

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top