Planning Sequences
Use
A planning sequence is a list of planning functions and parameter groups that are processed in the order you have previously determined. You use this function to automate the sequential processing of a user-defined number of planning functions that you have defined. This is useful if you want to regularly carry out certain complex operations on your data. You can combine multiple function call-ups in a planning sequence and these are then processed as one single step.
The benefit of planning sequences becomes greater the more processing steps are required to complete a planning task. The unique definition of a planning sequence ensures that all required steps are carried out and that the correct sequence is observed.
At the start of each quarter, you wish to plan the sales in the 'Pharmaceuticals' division for a group of subsidiaries. Here, various planning functions (such as copy, revaluate, and distribute) each supply partial results that are then used by the next function. You can combine this chain of functions in a single operation.
Integration
Planning sequences can be either of two types: local and global:
· You create a local planning sequence in the context of a planning area. In this way you combine a selection of functions, which you have defined, that belong to this planning level. You are not able to access functions that you have created in the context of other planning levels.
· You create a global planning sequence without reference to any specific planning area ( Goto → Global Planning Sequences). Here, you include functions from multiple planning areas. You can also choose to have global planning sequences processed in the background. You can find out about the status and result of the sequences processed in the background with the functions Tools → Log and Tools → Job Overview In addition there is also the possibility to schedule global planning sequences in time with the tools of the Computing Center Management System.
Manual planning cannot be assigned to a planning sequence as this function is interactive and requires user input. This is not compatible with the concept of processing planning steps automatically.
Prerequisites
In order to be able to define a planning sequence, you must have already defined functions in the same planning level and have created parameter groups for these functions. You must also ensure that all the functions and parameter groups combined in the sequence are compatible with the characteristic value restrictions that you made in the planning level and planning package. In the case of a global planning sequence, these prerequisites apply to the functions contained in the sequence, with reference in each case, to the planning level to which the functions belong.
The success of sequential processing of plan data depends greatly on the make-up of the functions that are to be carried out. This can lead to surprising effects: It may happen that some functions in a sequence only work if certain characteristic values appear in the data being supplied. If this is not the case, some subsequent functions may not be carried out.
Features
For each processing step, you determine the desired planning function with an appropriate parameter group. There are no restrictions here – you can, for example, include the same combination of function and parameter group several times within one sequence. The processing of a sequence starts with the data status as it is in the BW-BPS data basis. Each further step receives the data as it is passed on from the previous step.
If a function in the planning sequence cannot be carried out successfully, the sequence is terminated at this point and the system issues an appropriate error message. In this case the changes that were made in previous steps are retained. In a situation of this kind, record exactly which steps have been performed successfully and which have not. After you have corrected the problems you can restart at the correct place and process the steps that are incorrect.
Scheduling Global Planning Sequences in Time
You
can schedule global planning sequences in time with the
Computing Center
Management System tools. This opens up various advantages:
· The execution of planning sequences that process large quantities of data and therefore overload the system can be scheduled to run at times when the load on the system is less. You can, for example, also use these functions to schedule extensive planning sequences, so that they do not overlap with the regular data update of SAP BW from the operational systems
· You can group together periodic recurring planning tasks in a global planning sequence and schedule them accordingly. For example you could automatically schedule a regular sales forecast on the basis of updated actual data at the start of every period
To schedule a global planning sequence in time, proceed as follows:
...
1. In the ABAP Editor execute the report UPC_BUNDLE_EXECUTE that controls the processing of global planning sequences
2. In the selection screen of the report, select the global planning sequence that you want to process.
3. Save the current settings for the report as a variant.
4. Using System → Services → Jobs → Define Job, define a job with which you want to execute the report UPC_BUNDLE_EXECUTE with the variant already created at the desired point in time.
See also: