  The creation and deployment of software development processes for new domains
(such as wireless Internet services) is a challenging task due to the lack of
knowledge about adequate engineering techniques and their effects. In addition,
time-to-market pressure prevents applying long-lasting maturation of processes.
Nevertheless, developing software of a predetermined quality in a predictable
fashion can only be achieved with systematic development processes and the use
of engineering principles. A descriptive approach promises to quickly create
initial valuable process models and quantitative baselines that can be seen as
starting points for continuous improvement activities.
  This paper describes the creation of software development processes for the
development of wireless Internet services based on the observation of pilot
projects that were performed at distributed development sites. Different
techniques and tools such as descriptive process modeling, process
documentation generation, goal-oriented measurement, and capturing qualitative
experience were combined to gain process baselines. Results show that the
observation-based approach helped to quickly come up with stable
context-oriented development processes and get a better understanding of their
effects with respect to quantitative and qualitative means.
