The present disclosure relates to intent execution methods and apparatus. In one example method, an element management system (EMS) receives a first intent from a network management system (NMS). The first intent indicates the EMS to execute a first command on a first network element and execute a second command on a second network element, a second intent in an active state is maintained in the EMS, the second intent indicates the EMS to execute a third command on the first network element, and the first command and the third command are mutually exclusive. The EMS receives a first parameter and conflict policy information. The EMS determines whether to execute the second command on the second network element, and executes the first command or the third command on the first network element based on the conflict policy information.