Standard Pig teaches the importance of having clear, standardized processes. Originally developed for continuous improvement training, this exercise shows how different outcomes emerge when people work without clear standards.

It illustrates a fundamental truth in healthcare operations: without agreed-upon processes, every person interprets tasks differently. This variation leads to inconsistent results, communication breakdowns, and poor efficiency.

What are Standard Pig best practices?

The Standard Pig exercise demonstrates several key principles that translate directly into healthcare operations:

Start with clear specifications
Healthcare processes need explicit procedures that leave no room for interpretation.

Ensure stakeholder agreement
Before implementing any process or evaluation, all team members must understand and agree on the approach. 

Use visual and written standards
The exercise emphasizes visual communication and written instructions. In healthcare, this translates to:

• Flowcharts for complex procedures
• Checklists for routine tasks
• Visual aids for patient education
• Written protocols for clinical decisions

Test your standards
The three-part pig exercise shows how adding more specific instructions improves consistency. Similarly, healthcare organizations should continuously refine their standards based on real-world feedback and outcomes.

What can you learn from Standard Pig?

The Standard Pig methodology teaches several crucial lessons for healthcare organizations:

Specificity drives consistency: Stay consistent with detailed and specific instructions. 

Visual learning accelerates understanding: Use visuals like management boards, process maps, and infographics to communicate standards.

Stakeholder alignment prevents problems: Ensure all team members understand program goals, evaluation methods, and success criteria before starting initiatives.

What changes can you implement to maximize results?

Based on the Standard Pig methodology, healthcare organizations can implement several key changes:

Create written program descriptions
Every program or initiative in your organization must:

• Create clear objectives and scope
• Define roles and responsibilities
• Establish step-by-step procedures
• Have success metrics and evaluation criteria

Establish stakeholder agreement processes
Before launching new programs or process improvements:

• Hold alignment meetings with all key stakeholders
• Document agreed-upon approaches and expectations
• Create feedback mechanisms for ongoing alignment
• Regularly review and update agreements

Build evaluation capacity
To strengthen your evaluation capabilities, your organization should:

• Develop logic models for all programs
• Create standardized evaluation templates
• Train staff on consistent evaluation methods
• Establish regular review cycles for all initiatives