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We propose a procedure for the assessment of rangeland function, comprised of three components: a conceptual framework, a field methodology and an interpretive framework. The conceptual framework treats landscapes as systems: defining how landscapes work in terms of sequences of processes regulating the availability of scarce resources. The field methodology uses indicators at landscape and patch scale to provide and structure information to satisfy the needs of the conceptual framework. The interpretational framework provides a process to identify critical thresholds in landscape function and thus provide a function-based state and transition landscape assessment. The approach is quick and simple in the field, is applicable to all range landscapes and amenable for use by a wide range of end-users.