The overall vision for the Western Water Assessment (WWA) project is to work within an evolving social context and increase the relevance and value of scientific information in order to improve decision-making strategies. In this approach, the research focuses on the decision-making processes of the individuals, groups, and organizations in the Interior West that have responsibility for managing water resources, as well as those who use the water, and those responsible for its treatment and the protection of the aquatic environment. Collectively, this diverse set of individuals, groups and organizations represent the WWA "user community." By understanding the decision making processes, the stresses, and the constraints of this community, researchers can develop hydro-climate products that meet user needs, allowing the user community to make more informed decisions. This presentation will summarize the research highlights of the WWA project, and discuss the benefits and pitfalls of the methods used in this integrated assessment.