Demystifying Production Planning with SAP PP’s Key Tables

SAP Production Planning (PP) is the backbone of any manufacturing operation. It orchestrates the flow of materials, ensures on-time production, and optimizes resource utilization. But behind the scenes, a complex network of tables stores vital data that keeps everything running smoothly.

This blog post dives into the world of SAP PP tables, highlighting some of the most important ones you’ll encounter:

Mastering Production with Core Tables:

• Material Master (MARA): The foundation of PP, this table stores comprehensive information about every material you produce or use, including its type, weight, dimensions, and purchasing data.
• Bill of Materials (BOM) (STKO, STPO): This table defines the components needed to produce a finished product. It details the quantity and relationships between various materials.
• Routing (PLKO, PLPO): This table outlines the step-by-step product manufacturing instructions. It defines the sequence of operations, work centers, and tools needed for each stage.
• Work Center (CRHD): This table stores information about your production facilities, including their capacity, skills required, and availability.

Planning and Controlling with Essential Tables:

• Planned Orders (PLAF) represent the system’s proposal for future production needs. They are generated based on forecasts and stock levels.
• Production Orders (AFKO, AFPO): Once a planned order is approved, it gets converted into a production order. This table holds all the details needed to manufacture a specific quantity of a product.
• Reservations (RESB): This table ensures you have enough materials to fulfill production orders. Reservations “earmark” specific quantities of materials for particular production purposes.
• Confirmations (AFRU): When production is complete, confirmations (partial or final) are recorded in this table. This updates inventory levels and reflects progress on production orders.

Optimizing with Capacity and MRP Tables:

• Capacity Planning (KBKO, KBED): These tables track the capacity of your work centers and resources. They help identify potential bottlenecks and ensure production stays within your capabilities.
• Material Requirements Planning (MRP) (MDKP, MDTB): These tables form the heart of MRP. They analyze production plans, material needs, and lead times to generate planned orders that ensure you have the suitable materials at the right time.

This is just a glimpse into the vast world of SAP PP tables. By understanding these key players, you can gain valuable insights into your production processes, optimize resource allocation, and make data-driven decisions for a more efficient and controlled manufacturing environment.