Actual Cost Mismatch SAP Reports and Its Discrepancies Impact Budget Availability Control

[Imam_Hossain7]

1. Overview
This analysis highlights discrepancies observed between multiple standard SAP Project System (PS) reports related to actual costs.
The comparison was performed using three standard reports: S_ALR_87013558, CJI3, and CN41N.
These discrepancies directly impact budget availability control and posting behavior within the system.

2. Observed Issues
Actual cost mismatch between different SAP PS reports.
In S_ALR_87013558, the actual cost exceeds the released budget, leading to AVAC errors.
Due to tolerance limits, the system restricts further postings when the budget is exceeded.
Settlement value (CJ88) and actual cost value (CJI3) are not aligned — the settlement value appears higher than the actual cost.

3. Detailed Findings
In S_ALR_87013558, two separate line items appear for actual cost — one under the defined value category (“PS: Material Cost”) and another under “Not Assigned.”
The total of both line items equals approximately double the actual cost displayed in CJI3.
The CN41N project structure report also shows the same doubled cost value (matching S_ALR_87013558).
Upon analyzing CJI3, it was identified that settlement documents (document types AUAK/RMRP) are being counted again as actual cost in both S_ALR_87013558 and CN41N.

This indicates that settlement postings are being duplicated in some cost aggregation logic, causing overstatement in project cost reports.

4. Evidence (Screenshots)
S_ALR_87013558 Report – (Attached Screenshot)
CJI3 Report – (Attached Screenshot)
CN41N Report – (Attached Screenshot)