These four diagnostic guides, developed as part of the Investing in People Project in Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Washington, and West Virginia, can be used to help states in assessing their current work force and economic development systems and in building more comprehensive, integrated, and effective strategies for improving the work force. Diagnostic guides 1 and 2 assist a team in collecting and organizing information about its state work force and economic development programs. Guide 1 helps team members examine the following: why they have come together, what forces are pushing for change, what obstacles may need to be overcome, and what initial goals need to be set. Guide 2 leads the team through a complete assessment of the state's existing economic development, education, and job training programs, focusing on the current social, economic, political, and demographic conditions of the state. Using diagnostic guides 3 and 4, the team can develop short- and long-term strategies and identify critical areas of focus. These two guides provide a framework in which state teams can evaluate the quality and impact of the team's work force strategies. Because the government and political environment can change quickly, guides 3 and 4 are designed to allow a team to follow changes in the policy, economic, and social contexts of its state. A framework for evaluation, guide 4 helps the team in the ongoing process of implementing and sustaining change in the state's human investment systems. (KC)