The document presents a formative evaluation of the program development process used to produce the 13 kits in the Canadian Content Project. The objective is to recommend whether similar development models should be used in the future. The study is presented in three sections. Section I examines and compares three approaches to local program development: hierarchical, random, and mutualistic. Decision making rests with the curriculum expert in the hierarchial approach; with the individual or group constructing the program in the random approach; and to some extent with all the participants in the mutualistic approach. These are discussed in relation to various aspects of decision making, including locus of power; role of teachers, students, and community personnel; major concern; legitimization; and expected outcomes. Section II examines the Canadian Content Project in relation to the decision to use the mutualistic approach. It outlines objectives and plans relating to rights of team members, advantages for team members, obligations of team members, and assumptions about team members. The major portion surveys the perceptions of the teacher members of the teams about the realities of working on the project. Most of the respondents believed their expectations had been fulfilled, but less than one-third indicated willingness to participate in such a project again under the same conditions. The major finding was that the mutualistic approach was not implemented because it was not understood by the participants. Section III summarizes the study and offers five points to be considered in the future when using a mutualistic approach. (CK)