The implementation of conservation programs in archives and libraries and the ultimate success of these programs depends upon the use of document examination and diagnostics in initial planning and the integration of conservation into collection management. Conservation education must begin with document examination that is systematic, is technical and detailed, and is based on a representative sample of items from a collection. An experimental workshop at the University of Maryland was offered to address: 1) how to examine a book or manuscript systematically; 2) how to design a collection condition survey using document examnation data; 3) how to extract from sampled data generalizations at the collection level; and 4) how to proceed with analysis and planning for conservation treatments, remedial stack maintenance procedures, disaster preparation manuals, and collection management policies. Sample forms illustrate the approach taken in these workshops.