1. A computer/software system for managing telecommunication network elements, comprising: one or more operator-driven processes which monitor and manage network elements in real time, using at least one telecommunications network control channel; and an operator interface which, in response to operator selection of a particular network element, provides a data-driven representation of attributes of said particular element, including elements which are variable for the type of element to which said particular element actually belongs; wherein said data-driven representation is customized by instantiating a meta-model which generates possible legal choices for a given topology, and which contains mutually inconsistent possibilities until instantiated.