Abstract
We discuss the use of electronic process guides in software engineering projects. We then present existing methods for constructing electronic process guides by defining a set of common processes for a company. Several approaches from the software engineering and management literature are presented. We then go on to propose a new method to construct process description in software engineering: using process workshops as a tool to reach consensus on work practice. In defining processes, we have found it effective to involve software developers - in order to get simple, realistic descriptions with accurate detail and ensure company commitment in an efficient manner. We describe our workshop-oriented method to define processes, which we have been using in small software companies, and show examples of results. We give a brief description of a case study where we defined processes and helped construct an electronic process guide in a small software company in Norway.