This white paper presents the prerequisites for effectively applying the principles of adaptive management and is intended to help legislators, agency personnel, and the public better understand and use the approach. Key elements of adaptive management include: • identifying clear goals and measurable indicators• following an iterative approach for decision-making• systematically monitoring the process• acknowledging feedback for systemic learning• characterising risks and uncertainties• reducing uncertainty over timeThe authors use case studies and scientific literature to present the advantages and disadvantages of adaptive management and its applicability to specific problems related to resource management. It is noted that adaptive management, as it is cost-intensive, may increase or extend controversy and conflict, and may require trading of the best outcome in the short-term for long-term learning. The paper provides some guiding principles for designing an effective adaptive management programme, these include: fitting the strategy to specific resource problems rather than a generic goal, ensuring accountability and enforceability, promoting targeted learning, and ensuring regular funding. The paper builds a case for problem-specific adaptive management design, and suggests the prerequisites for problem selection, for example, cases where there are information gaps or opportunities for learning.