How to Resolve "Problem with Order Release" in PM Orders

Problem with Order Release in PM Orders

Many SAP users encounter issues when trying to release Preventive Maintenance (PM) orders that contain PM02 External Operations. The system is expected to generate a requisition upon order creation. However, if the Requisitioner and Requisition Tracking Number fields are set as mandatory, an error occurs because these fields are not available in the task list operation.

If you're struggling with this issue, the key question is:

Is there a way to make these fields available in the task list operation?

Since SAP does not provide a standard solution, here are some non-standard alternatives to resolve the issue.


Possible Solutions to Fix Order Release Errors

Although there is no direct way to add these fields in standard SAP, the following workarounds can help:

1. Use Task List User Fields

SAP allows users to define custom fields in task lists. You can:

- Add the Requisitioner and Requisition Tracking Number to user-defined fields in the task list.
- Utilize user exits (COZF0001 or COZF0002) to automatically transfer this information to the PM order during creation.

Best for businesses that want a quick, low-code approach.

2. Use Task List Header Classification

Another approach is to store the required data in the task list header classification and then transfer it using user exits.

- Define classification characteristics for Requisitioner and Requisition Tracking Number.
- Implement a user exit to copy these details into the order upon creation.

Ideal for companies that already use classification in SAP.

3. Develop a Batch Program for Automatic Updates

If automation is a priority, developing a batch program can be an efficient way to handle missing field values.

- A batch job can retrieve Requisitioner and Requisition Tracking Number from reference data and update orders automatically.
- This eliminates the need for manual intervention and reduces order release errors.

⚙️ Best suited for organizations with development resources.

4. Implement a Workflow for Field Population

A custom workflow can be designed to ensure these fields are populated when a PM order is created.

- Trigger a workflow upon PM order creation to fetch missing data from a predefined source.
- Automatically update the order before the release step.

A scalable solution for businesses handling a high volume of PM orders.


Final Thoughts

While there is no standard SAP setting to make the Requisitioner and Requisition Tracking Number fields available in task list operations, the above workarounds provide practical alternatives.

For quick implementation: Use user-defined fields or task list classification.
For automation: Develop a batch program or set up a workflow.

By choosing the right approach, you can successfully eliminate order release errors and optimize your SAP PM02 external operations.

Need expert help with SAP PM Orders? Consider reaching out to an SAP consultant or developer to tailor a solution for your system.


Related FAQs

1. Why does SAP PM order release fail with PM02 external operations?

The failure occurs because mandatory fields like Requisitioner and Requisition Tracking Number are not available in task list operations, causing an error.

2. Can I add the missing fields to the task list operation screen?

No, SAP does not provide a standard way to do this. However, you can use user exits or workflows to transfer the required data to the order.

3. What is the easiest workaround for this issue?

Using user-defined fields in task lists and implementing a user exit (COZF0001 or COZF0002) is the simplest approach.

4. Do I need an ABAP developer to implement these solutions?

Yes, most solutions (such as user exits, batch programs, and workflows) require ABAP development. However, task list classification can be configured without coding.

5. Can I automate the field population process?

Yes, a batch program or workflow can automatically update missing fields during PM order creation.

6. Is there a standard SAP note or patch that fixes this issue?

As of now, SAP has no standard fix for this. The workarounds mentioned here are custom solutions used by SAP professionals.

Read also :-
KPI in SAP PM Measurement

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