I disagree that you need to test a process before you determine what the standardized outcome needs to be. For instance, Design for Six Sigma was developed to figure out how to design processes to perform at a high level of quality from the beginning.

What you are describing is the Process Improvement cycle or PDCA, I am talking about the Daily Management cycle or SDCA. Two very different things and they shouldn't be confused with each other.

My humble opinion after doing process improvement work full-time for the last 15 years of my career.