The MetroLink project supported and studied the process of collaboration for human resource development in American metropolitan areas. The project was conducted in 1984 and 1985 in the following eight metropolitan areas: Atlanta, Georgia; Boston, Massachusetts; Hartford, Connecticut; Indianapolis, Indiana; Louisville, Kentucky; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Saint Louis, Missouri; and Portland, Oregon. The study documentation indicated that: (1) successful collaboration to overcome longstanding systemic problems in human resource development can be achieved; (2) there appear to be five stages in the development of collaboration; (3) different elements of leadership, history, and levels of commitment combine to determine the nature of collaborative alliances; (4) 12 themes apparently characterize collaborative efforts. The 5 phases and 12 themes of the collaborative process are discussed at length in the body of the report. MetroLink also achieved the following specific outcomes in each site: (1) a coordinator trained in assessing and gathering information about a metropolitan area's political and economic environments, and in using external networks to bring information and expertise to the area; (2) a cadre of leaders who understand the complexities of metropolitan area planning and policymaking processes, and effective strategies for intervening in those processes; (3) a process for documenting and assessing cooperative activities among schools, businesses, higher education institutions, and among labor organizations, governmental agencies and individuals; (4) a specific, publicly visible example of results gained from cooperative efforts; and (5) a small national network capable of disseminating experiences gained through MetroLink to additional metropolitan areas. The cross-sector collaboration process in each of the eight metropolitan areas is discussed. (BJV)