This federally funded survey, undertaken to develop a model of a decentralized local area manpower information system for meeting program management needs in urban areas, discusses the need for this system, and the origins and uses of manpower data. Characteristics and parameters of such a system, alternative models of information systems, and a strategy for sequential development toward a merged individual file system are topics covered. Feasibility studies, conducted through a series of interviews with agency officials and examinations of local operating records, indicated the necessity for a progressive, sequential approach toward systems development. Recommendations are made at each stage for the merging of information from cooperating agencies and its computerization, including storage and retrieval. (AG)