This paper proposes a five-part formula for conducting an environmental scan for community colleges and writing up the results. To fulfill its mission effectively, administrators should be informed about various aspects of the community they serve. The formula is designed to make the project as easy as possible, focused, and usable the next time around. Another objective of the formula is to provide the data necessary for college faculty and administrators to have a good sense of future student enrollments, and be able to make informed decisions for planning future academic programs, students services, off-campus locations, and other long range objectives. The five parts of the formula are: (1) focus the subject matter on five topics: population trends, economic outlook, job openings, high school graduates, and commutation and transportation; (2) for collecting data, begin with the County Planning Department, which can be particularly useful for population trends and transportation maps. (3) use tables, charts, and maps to support each major point; (4) develop a detailed, concise table of contents; and (5) include an executive summary and conclusion. At the end of each factor that is summarized, it may be appropriate to draw a conclusion or make recommendation. Appended is an executive summary example. (JA)