Study Group 4 is responsible for standards for the management of telecom services, networks, and equipment. Telecom management systems are a crucial part of the business processes at the heart of any service providers' operation. Standards created by SG4 focus on fault, configuration, accounting, performance and security management (FCAPS) interfaces. FCAPS interfaces sit between network elements and management systems and also between two management systems.

As service offerings and networks become more complicated, so the need for a more business-oriented framework has developed, one that includes applications such as customer care, service fulfillment, service assurance, and charging and billing in support of element, network, service, and business management.

The importance of efficient interoperable management solutions to service providers and network operators has increased dramatically in the past few years. This is because the management systems at the heart of these solutions play a critical role in reducing service providers' operating costs. Standards produced by Study Group 4 aim to help integrate solutions quickly, simply and cost-effectively into the operating environment.

Study Group 4 works closely with partner standards developing organizations, forums, and consortia on the harmonization of management specifications and aims to determine if consensus can be reached on converging the independently developed solutions, and progressing them to international standards (ITU-T Recommendations).​​​​​​​