Hallowed Procedures

PeterDrucker, in ManagementChallengesForTheTwentyFirstCentury said the following in reference to process optimization:

• "A great many of the traditionally most hallowed procedures turn out to be waste and do not add anything."

Examples? What particular procedures, and failing to add what to what? Sounds too much like a PeculiarNotion, or an excuse to me. Since when and by whom is process optimization among the most "HallowedProcecures?"?