whatever form the decision making process took , their process of making a choice and the stimulation of tests that provoked considerations hogged the resources , since they still required tremendous secrecy and protection ; they always continued their dealings without the observation or the knowledge by the masses , and , sometimes , the plans that and procedures of their selection took much longer than expected , which meant that an alternate was required for each of the retired while the fulfillment of the lifetime position was in the process of completion .