A feedback-based adaptive network is described wherein at least a portion of the network elements report operating information relating to network conditions to a centralized data store. The information is analyzed by a policy engine which includes a plurality of specific plug-in policies for analyzing selected information from the data store and for computing updated control information which is fed back to affect operation of selected network elements. In this way the dynamic and automatic feedback control of network elements is provided to allow the network to adapt to events relating to changing conditions. The adaptive, feedback based network may include a network quality monitoring system for evaluating performance characteristics based upon predetermined standard or criteria. If it is determined that a particular characteristic of the network does not conform, the policy which control that particular characteristic of the network may be automatically and dynamically modified to affect network performance.