Abstract: The performance of technological service from large-scale scientific instruments platforms is closely related to the output level of scientific and technological innovation activities. The sustainable management in a large-scale scientific instrument platform is the key to improve the performance. Previous related researches and accumulated management practices are combined in this paper to build a sustainable management framework. Starting from the primary functional chain of a large-scale scientific instrument, the BUFF (short for boundary (B), unity (U), function (F) and feedback (F)) has been analyzed and enriched. Focusing on the operational dimension, the functional network structure of an instrument platform is proposed to identify the management issues that make most platforms satisfy neither the authorities nor the scientists. The essential features of the stable operating of an instrument platform contain entity (E), adaption (A), sound function (S) and yield (Y). And the role of the department head and those technicians in the platform is the determining factor to the development of the organization. The sustainable management strategies in the 4 development stages of an instrument platform are self-knowledge, self-catalysis, self-control and self-realization, respectively, which provide viable reference for the operation and management of the instrument platforms in China.