The Misericordia and The General Hospital (Grey Nuns) of Edmonton (two sites) have formed a partnership and established one board and management structure responsible for the three sites. Described are the processes and techniques used during the assessment stage to determine the viability and desirability of such an action. To study the issue, a task force was formed, drawing equally from the boards of the two hospitals, and involving the participation of the Catholic Archbishop of Edmonton. The responsibilities and actions of the task force are described, along with the observations of the other participants--the owners, management, medical staff, employees and the community.