This Recommendation provides an overview of the M.3200-Series. It describes the structuring principles of the M.3200-Series and lists the currently agreed Recommendations. The concepts of Telecommunications Managed Area'' and Telecommunications Management are introduced. A summary description of each is provided, as well as a matrix defining their relationships. These Recommendations are intended as the basis for the corresponding modelling and protocol work on the TMN interfaces. They also provide a basis from which an Administration might plan the evolution of its Telecommunications Management as defined in 3.2 of this Recommendation. The Recommendation is completed through a summary of a hypothetical example of the management context of a matrix crosspoint, i.e. Maintenance Management of Switched Telephone Network.