The present invention provides a user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) that may be employed to remotely manage a plurality of network elements. One feature of the GUI is a graphical representation of a series of state transition diagrams (STDs). The GUI displays each STD upon receiving a command from a technician. The STDs provide a unique window into the present state and possible future states of a specific network element. Furthermore, the GUI is configured to be fool-proof in that the technician may select from only relevant actions. That is, the GUI prevents accidental engagement of an action by having the technician select a command from a pull-down menu where the only commands the user may choose from are those that are relevant to the current state of the selected network element. For example, a network element that is currently in service would not have a restore command included in its pull-down menu.