With an increasing number of SON functions deployed in cellular radio networks, conflicts between the actions proposed by independently-designed and distributed SON functions may arise. The process of minimizing the occurrence, and the consequences, of such conflicts is referred to as SON coordination. SON coordination can be achieved either by a separate entity, a SON coordinator, controlling the actions of each SON function during operation, or in the design of the SON functions as such,

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... gh a conflict free SON design. In both cases, the SON functions should be designed in a way compliant with the coordination method used. This paper proposes a number of SON design principles to apply in order to achieve this. In the case of an operational SON coordinator, SON functions should be able to deal with the possible actions that are taken by the SON coordination function in order not to worsen the problems experienced in the network. In the case of conflict free SON design the aim is at removing potential conflicts already in the design phase. The ambition of this paper is not to provide a complete set of design guidelines that address all aspects. Instead, the target is to open up the discussion on the distributed SON design principles in the community.