Designed to help local government officials, agency personnel, and members of citizen groups involved in the planning process for a rapidly growing community, this introduction to community needs assessment provides background information on the reasons for conducting community needs assessment, guidelines for determining which techniques are most appropriate, and a brief description of 13 different needs assessment techniques. Advantages and disadvantages of each method are given plus a list of references. The techniques include use of census and vital statistics records, content analysis, participant observation, case studies, social network analysis, surveys, key informants, life histories, nominal group process, delphi technique, advisory groups and task forces, community forums, and community impressions. Although a community needs assessment is an excellent means of involving the public in problem solving and developing local goals, the guide stresses the need to use multiple methods when carrying out a needs assessment--or many people and potential problem areas will fall through the slats. A brief, closing example illustrates how needs assessment techniques were used in Creston, Washington. (BRR)