In one aspect of the invention, an automated system for managing a virtual private network comprises one or more processing devices operative to: (i) generate a service order based on a request from a user for at least one of a new service, a modification of an existing service and a termination of an existing service associated with the virtual private network; (ii) cause a determination of design requirements associated with implementing the user's request; (iii) cause provisioning of one or more virtual private network elements, when necessary, to implement the design requirements; (iv) cause the virtual private network to be configured to satisfy one or more conditions associated with the user's request; and (v) cause at least a portion of the virtual private network to be tested to determine whether the user's request has been satisfied; and a memory, coupled to the one or more processing devices, which stores at least a portion of data associated with the generating, design, provisioning, configuration and testing operations.