Practical information is provided, in a question and answer format, for community college officials who are planning to conduct a community needs assessment. A brief discussion of the usefulness of needs assessment surveys to the college planning process is followed by descriptions of eight steps to be followed in planning and conducting a survey: (1) defining the purpose of the survey; (2) defining the survey population; (3) choosing a survey technique and determining the sample size; (4) drawing a random sample; (5) designing a questionnaire; (6) pre-testing the questionnaire; (7) administering the survey instrument; and (8) tabulating and analyzing the responses. Next, several methods of conducting surveys are considered and their advantages and disadvantages discussed. Mailed questionnaires, personal interviews, and telephone interviews are evaluated in terms of cost, respondent and interviewer bias, depth of information obtainable, response rates, interviewer training needs, and other areas. Next, model needs assessment surveys that have been conducted by community colleges are briefly described. A list of sources for additional information concludes the fact sheet. (JP)