Protracted

Protracted pruh-trak-tuhd (adjective) A protracted process is one that has been unnecessarily extended or drawn out over a much longer period than originally anticipated or desired. It describes situations where delays, complications, or inefficiencies cause what should be straightforward tasks to drag on interminably, often creating frustration and additional costs.

Think: the recruitment process that was meant to take 6 weeks but somehow stretches into 6 months of endless interviews and deliberation.