A mediator for efficiently exchanging management data in a hierarchical management network for managing network elements of a data transport network partitions resources of the network elements among a plurality of management representations of the network elements and selectively forwards management data associated with respective management representations to a higher level of the hierarchy. The mediator modifies the management data so that the higher level (i.e. a northbound element management system or a network management system) receives the management data in a view consistent with the management representation of the network element. Client-based management representations may be created to permit clients to manage selected resources of a network element, and testing-based management representations may be created to facilitate concurrent testing of a network element.