Demystifying BOM Tables in SAP PP

In SAP Production Planning (PP), the Bill of Materials (BOM) plays a central role. It defines the components and their quantities needed to produce a finished product. But where is this crucial information stored within the SAP system? The answer lies in a network of interconnected tables.

This blog post will unveil the critical tables used for BOM management in SAP PP:

• MAST: This table acts as the master link, establishing the connection between a material and its BOM. It stores information like the material number, BOM type (single-level, multi-level), and the creation date of the BOM.
• STKO: This table holds the heart of the BOM data – the components themselves. It details each component’s material number, the quantity required per parent material, and the item number within the BOM structure.
• STPO: While STKO focuses on components, STPO dives deeper into the component relationship. It stores information like the higher-level assembly (parent material) for each element, providing the hierarchical structure of the BOM.
• STAS: This table stores additional details about the BOM, such as its usage (production, planning, etc.) and its effectivity dates (validity period).
• STZU: This table stores supplementary information related to the BOM components, like alternative and phantoms (components not physically present in the finished product).

Important Note: It’s essential to remember that directly accessing and manipulating these tables is generally not recommended. SAP provides function modules specifically designed to work with BOM data. These functions ensure data integrity and adherence to business logic.

Beyond the Basics:

This blog has presented the core tables for BOM management in SAP PP. However, additional tables might be relevant depending on specific functionalities like multi-level BOMs, configurable products, or phantom assemblies.

For further exploration, consider these resources:

• SAP Documentation on BOM (consult your specific SAP version for details)
• Online forums and communities dedicated to SAP PP

By understanding these tables and best practices, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how BOM data is structured and managed within SAP PP, empowering you to make informed decisions about production planning and material management.