An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising a transceiver capable of transmitting decreased size management messages in a wireless network by transmitting only differences between subsequently sent management messages and previously sent management messages. The wireless network may be according to the Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers (IEEE) latest 802.16 standard. The determination of differences between subsequent management messages may be accomplished by the management message header being extended by an optional field, informing whether the rest of the management message is a full management message or a delta from the previous management message. The management message may be a DL Map (Downlink Map) and UL Map (Uplink Map) and may be transmitted by a base station (BS) in downlink (DL) periodically, in each radio frame and a full map message may still transmitted in predefined intervals for synchronization and to allow new subscriber stations to join the network. Further, a receiver of the management messages may know a previously sent management message and may merge it with changes conveyed in a delta message to obtain a current full map of the management message.