Large federally funded hydroclimatic research programs have increasingly recognized the need for activities to produce “usable science”, be relevant to society and be “stakeholder driven”. Research and forecasting agencies have begun promoting development of “end-to-end” systems, whereby the organizations are more responsive to the needs and capabilities of stakeholders that may be affected by eventual products. Integrated assessments have been proposed as an approach for fostering extensive interaction with stakeholders and iteratively adapting research directions based on stakeholder input. However, integrated assessments are a relatively new development within hydroclimatic science programs. There is much uncertainty about what stakeholder-driven research actually entails, how scientific research programs can reflexively respond to stakeholders while still addressing questions that can advance the state of the science, and what kinds of research products are most effective in enhancing resource management decisions. Initiated in 1997, the Climate Assessment for the Southwest (CLIMAS) project was designed to achieve three levels of integration: i) integration of decision makers, researchers, and other stakeholders, ii) disciplinary integration of assessment team participants, and iii) end-to-end integration of hydroclimatic issues, from information to vulnerability to response. Further, CLIMAS’ stakeholder driven research was organized as an ongoing process requiring the development and maintenance of interdisciplinary capacities and infrastructure, and products that facilitate effective decision-making. Results from the CLIMAS integrated assessment illustrate how research agendas can evolve to contribute to better availability and use of hydroclimatic information, and offer insight for building and sustaining effective research and applications partnerships. Through extensive interactions, seasonal hydroclimatic forecasts were identified as a key common interest of researchers, operational agencies and stakeholders, with an important role for reducing stakeholder vulnerability to climate variability. Each issuance of a forecast offers opportunity for addressing the state of hydroclimatic science, uncertainty and risk management, and needs for new products. Partnerships with operational forecasters have resulted in product modifications and support for ongoing evaluation of forecast products from multiple perspectives.