Process Fossil

A workplace procedure that continues to exist long after technology made it unnecessary, usually defended with the phrase “because that’s how we’ve always done it.”

Often involves unnecessary steps like three paper copies, a signature, and filing paperwork that could have been a spreadsheet, email, or photo.

A process fossil survives purely because nobody in management has updated the system since the 1990s.

“Our office requires three paper copies, a signature, and a receipt attached just to verify a $60 purchase.”

“That’s not accounting… that’s a process fossil.”

Process Fossil by millenialstruggles1102 March 6, 2026

Trust The Process 

Basically carrying out a long term task or goal to end with a nice outcome, even if there are hiccups or mistakes made before that good outcome.

P1: I’m in the process of making and art piece, but right now it looks like shit

P2: Just Trust The Process. It’ll turn out better later.

Trust The Process by picckledissection November 28, 2019

sham process 

Any process that is in actually a non-process, something that is in fact such specifically in order to prevent the truth from coming out.

The confirmation hearing for Brett Kavanaugh was a sham process since there is wide consensus that damaging and provable evidence was actively suppressed.

sham process by Dr Bunnygirl September 16, 2019

trust the process 

Trusting the process involves supporting a team who is tanking on purpose in order to hoard draft picks as well as assets. Trust the process, also abbreviated as TTP, is somewhat cult-like at times.

Sixers fans TTP by rooting for their team despite three continuous years of less than 20 wins.
Other NBA teams claim to trust the process, but only Sixers fans really get it.

trust the process by InHinkieWeTrust July 25, 2016

The Process 

Term describing the current state of the Philadelphia 76ers organization. Tanking to acquire assets to eventually rise from the douldroms of the NBA. Also the nickname for Philadelphia center Joel Embiid.

"Trust The Process!"

"When we win the 2020 NBA Finals, you'll thank The Process!"

"Sam Hinkie sacrificed himself for The Process."

The Process by Cheesesteakaholic March 25, 2017

The Bayer Process 

The process of refining Bauxite into Alumina.

Did you know that most aluminum is made using The Bayer Process?

The Bayer Process by Jonathan1776 March 15, 2021

Kidney Stone Software Development Process 

The "Kidney Stone Software Development Process" is a degenerate process where releasing software to the field is incredibly painful but eventually "passes" and reaches customers. Developers within the process find that once the code portion of the project is complete, there are so many gates held by so many other internal groups that the software must first pass through, including peer review, quality assurance, documentation, not to mention possible conflicting schedules of other teams, product owners and managers, that the customers may not see the finished product for a long time. The process is akin to passing the proverbial kidney stone - incredibly painful, but eventually, it passes through.

We use the Kidney Stone Software Development Process at work; I'm still shepherding the finished code through multiple painful gates - who knows when this will actually ship.

Kidney Stone Software Development Process by Spokko April 10, 2019