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In this blog post, you will learn what are the recommended approaches and relevant use cases of creating planning objects in SAP IBP.
Planning objects are a combination of attribute records. It is same as that of characteristic combination in SAP APO. When planning data is loaded in a key figure at base planning level, system creates that combination for all key figures at that planning level. For example, loading sales history in Actuals Qty @WKPRODLOCCUST will enable combination for Sales Fcst Qty @WKPRODLOCCUST as well. Only after creating a planning object, it is possible to view particular combination in Excel UI.
In cases where planning object needs to be created / extended to other period IDs and data upload at that planning level is not feasible, following methods can be used to create planning objects.
1. From Master Data Type + Attribute as a key figure
2. New Planning Object from Excel UI + Copy Operator with CREATE_TIMEPERIODS
3. System generated by operators / profiles
The scope of this post is restricted to method 1 and 2. Let's discuss each in detail.
1. From Master Data Type + Attribute as a key figure
Recommended for: This method can be used when combination of a non-time root attribute of a planning level is same as that of combination of key attributes of a master data type.
Example: Actuals Qty @WKPRODLOCCUST has non-time root attributes – PRDID, LOCID and CUSTID. Customer Source MDT also has key attributes – PRDID, LOCID and CUSTID
Custom Configuration: Configure attribute as a key figure in customer source MDT. Add this attribute as a key figure in planning area as follows:
Attribute as a key figure configuration:
How it works: When a record is added in customer source MDT, in presence of this attribute as a key figure, it automatically creates the desired combination for all key figures at WKPRODLOCCUST. Similarly, if you want to initiate planning object with MTH time dimension, add another attribute as a key figure in the same MDT and configure MTHPRODLOCCUST as a base planning level of that attribute as a key figure.
Important Considerations: Once a combination is maintained in Customer Source MDT (with configured attribute as a key figure), planning objects are extended automatically to future periods when planning area rolls to next period. If a combination is added from Excel UI – Master Data Workbook (and no value is maintained in attribute as a key figure), planning object associated with that MDT will not be created. The data needs to be uploaded via Data Integration Jobs or through interface.
Edit : SAP recommends to limit the use of attribute as key figures. If this method is to be used, restrict from and to periods of attribute as key figures and use copy operator profile with Create Time Periods to extend the combination for entire planning horizon.
2. New Planning Object from Excel UI + Copy Operator with CREATE_TIMEPERIODS
Recommended for: (a) This method can be used when combination of non-time root attributes of a planning level is not available in any master data type. (b) Mass planning object creation is not required.
Example: AOP Price @MTHPRODCUSTCURR has non-time root attributes – PRDID, CUSTID and CURRID. There is no standard master data type available with SAPIBP1 which contains this combination as key attributes.
Custom Configuration: Configure a Copy operator with CREATE_TIMEPERIODS parameter and mention target key figures with required duration for which combination needs to be extended.
How it works:
1. Click on New Planning Object option in Excel UI.
2. Enter desired combination in planning object field. Make sure these records are a part of individual simple master data types. Click on Add.
3. Enter data for new combination that has come up. Click on save data to save this combination along with the data.
4. Run copy operator with target key figure at same planning level and CREATE_TIMEPERIODS parameter.
Important Considerations: If planning area rolls to future period, copy operator should be executed again to the new periods added because of rolling planning horizon. If new planning objects are added at aggregated level, in the absence of planning filter, it can create unnecessary combinations. For example, if planning object is created from Excel UI at Brand, LOCID, CUSTID level and no filter is applied, it will create combinations with all PRDID associated with the Brand as shown below.
Also, if key figures are conversion enabled and planning combination is created at higher level, system creates combination with all records fetched from simple MDT. For example, AOP Price is configured at MTHPRODCUSTCURR and combination is added at PROD CUST level, system creates combination with all currency records in Currency MDT. However, only those CURRID will be visible in Excel UI for which conversion is maintained between CURRID and CURRTOID.
Here, CURRTOID is USD and exchange rates are maintained with EUR, JPY and USD only.
I hope this post helps you to choose an appropriate method of planning object creation. Stay tuned for next topic – Planning Object Deletion in SAP IBP.
Planning objects are a combination of attribute records. It is same as that of characteristic combination in SAP APO. When planning data is loaded in a key figure at base planning level, system creates that combination for all key figures at that planning level. For example, loading sales history in Actuals Qty @WKPRODLOCCUST will enable combination for Sales Fcst Qty @WKPRODLOCCUST as well. Only after creating a planning object, it is possible to view particular combination in Excel UI.
In cases where planning object needs to be created / extended to other period IDs and data upload at that planning level is not feasible, following methods can be used to create planning objects.
1. From Master Data Type + Attribute as a key figure
2. New Planning Object from Excel UI + Copy Operator with CREATE_TIMEPERIODS
3. System generated by operators / profiles
The scope of this post is restricted to method 1 and 2. Let's discuss each in detail.
1. From Master Data Type + Attribute as a key figure
Recommended for: This method can be used when combination of a non-time root attribute of a planning level is same as that of combination of key attributes of a master data type.
Example: Actuals Qty @WKPRODLOCCUST has non-time root attributes – PRDID, LOCID and CUSTID. Customer Source MDT also has key attributes – PRDID, LOCID and CUSTID
Custom Configuration: Configure attribute as a key figure in customer source MDT. Add this attribute as a key figure in planning area as follows:
Attribute as a key figure configuration:
How it works: When a record is added in customer source MDT, in presence of this attribute as a key figure, it automatically creates the desired combination for all key figures at WKPRODLOCCUST. Similarly, if you want to initiate planning object with MTH time dimension, add another attribute as a key figure in the same MDT and configure MTHPRODLOCCUST as a base planning level of that attribute as a key figure.
Important Considerations: Once a combination is maintained in Customer Source MDT (with configured attribute as a key figure), planning objects are extended automatically to future periods when planning area rolls to next period. If a combination is added from Excel UI – Master Data Workbook (and no value is maintained in attribute as a key figure), planning object associated with that MDT will not be created. The data needs to be uploaded via Data Integration Jobs or through interface.
Edit : SAP recommends to limit the use of attribute as key figures. If this method is to be used, restrict from and to periods of attribute as key figures and use copy operator profile with Create Time Periods to extend the combination for entire planning horizon.
2. New Planning Object from Excel UI + Copy Operator with CREATE_TIMEPERIODS
Recommended for: (a) This method can be used when combination of non-time root attributes of a planning level is not available in any master data type. (b) Mass planning object creation is not required.
Example: AOP Price @MTHPRODCUSTCURR has non-time root attributes – PRDID, CUSTID and CURRID. There is no standard master data type available with SAPIBP1 which contains this combination as key attributes.
Custom Configuration: Configure a Copy operator with CREATE_TIMEPERIODS parameter and mention target key figures with required duration for which combination needs to be extended.
How it works:
1. Click on New Planning Object option in Excel UI.
2. Enter desired combination in planning object field. Make sure these records are a part of individual simple master data types. Click on Add.
3. Enter data for new combination that has come up. Click on save data to save this combination along with the data.
4. Run copy operator with target key figure at same planning level and CREATE_TIMEPERIODS parameter.
Important Considerations: If planning area rolls to future period, copy operator should be executed again to the new periods added because of rolling planning horizon. If new planning objects are added at aggregated level, in the absence of planning filter, it can create unnecessary combinations. For example, if planning object is created from Excel UI at Brand, LOCID, CUSTID level and no filter is applied, it will create combinations with all PRDID associated with the Brand as shown below.
Also, if key figures are conversion enabled and planning combination is created at higher level, system creates combination with all records fetched from simple MDT. For example, AOP Price is configured at MTHPRODCUSTCURR and combination is added at PROD CUST level, system creates combination with all currency records in Currency MDT. However, only those CURRID will be visible in Excel UI for which conversion is maintained between CURRID and CURRTOID.
Here, CURRTOID is USD and exchange rates are maintained with EUR, JPY and USD only.
I hope this post helps you to choose an appropriate method of planning object creation. Stay tuned for next topic – Planning Object Deletion in SAP IBP.
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