The aim of this paper is to present initial findings in evaluating specific requirements for software process improvement in geographically distributed processes and suggest possible solution approaches. A case study was designed with the purpose of identifying key issues of successful software development in a geographically distributed environment. The results of the case study indicate that communication and co-ordination of actions is the most important issue in software process improvement in geographically distributed environments. Research is suggesting that a co-ordination tool for distributed development has to account for flexible exception handling and role allocation which can be achieved by capturing commitments for each role. The results of the case study will be built upon by the development of a support tool utilizing results from within multi-disciplinary work in managing commitments.