A great source to start with when generating ideas is to look through your writing notes or class notes. Is there something that stands out ? Is there a process from a class like a science class that could be turned into three to five steps? A few examples from academia-related material for process paper topics are "How to take good notes in class," "How to study for exams" and "How to prepare for a test."
Another area where process paper topics come from are personal experiences that have required steps to complete a goal or process. Topics that most people generally have experience with that are acceptable topics in process papers are "How to mail a letter," "How to send an email" and "How to wash your hands." When you're selecting a topic on personal experience, it is acceptable to describe more unusual experiences and processes such as "How to drive a tank."
Institutional topics describe how a process takes place. Examples of institutional topics are "How a hot dog is made," "How parole works in prison systems," "How financial aid is distributed" and "How beef farms work." When you're developing an institutional topic for a process paper, it is a good idea to choose a topic that operates differently from what the audience may suspect. It is acceptable if an institutional topic is from personal experience or from researching.
Researching unfamiliar processes to gain an understanding of a topic is a great way to find process paper topics. However, before deciding on a topic, make sure to do enough research to properly understand the topic with the use of credible resources. It is advisable to create a short list of the process steps in order. Some processes that may require research are "How to find credible sources," "How to change a lens on a microscope" and "How to enter college."