ABSTRACT
Joint fact-finding (JFF) and related practices that link scientists with decision makers are tools-techniques to meld the worldviews and experiences of very different professionals. The many excellent articles in this volume provide a strong introduction of the rationale for JFF and how it is best designed. Our goal in this commentary is not to reiterate that material, but, instead, to discuss implementation of JFF in a “real world” of political, monetary, and legal constraints, and an ever accelerating pace of complex natural resource management decision making and escalating concerns. Well-designed issue assessments and collaborative processes (including JFF) are keys to meeting such challenges. Our commentary is intended to provide context on decisions that have used collaborative or structured assessments, including JFF, and, at the same time, to indicate ongoing challenges in the use of these tools.
