Are Planned and Production Orders Included in SAP Capacity Planning

If you're navigating the world of SAP capacity planning, you've probably asked yourself: “Are Planned Orders and Production Orders actually included in the capacity calculations?” It’s a totally fair question and a surprisingly nuanced one. So let’s break it all down in real talk, not SAP-speak.

What Is SAP Capacity Planning, Really?

Before we go deep, let's zoom out. SAP capacity planning is the process of ensuring your production resources - think machines, labor, work centers can handle what you’re-schedule. It’s like trying to organize a dinner party without knowing how big your oven is. That’s where capacity planning swoops in.

Planned Orders vs Production Orders: What's the Difference?

Let’s set the stage here. 
  • Planned Orders are proposals created during MRP (Material Requirements Planning). They aren’t real yet, they’re more like “what if” scenarios that haven’t been released for execution. 
  • Production Orders, on the other hand, are real. They represent actual work to be done and will hit your shop floor soon (or already have). 
Understanding the difference is key to how SAP treats them in capacity planning.

So, Are They Included in Capacity Planning?

Here’s the short answer: Production Orders can be included in capacity planning, but only if you tell SAP to include them. Planned Orders can also be included, but it depends on how your selection profile and scheduling settings are configured.

The Role of OPU3: Generating Capacity Requirements

Let’s talk transactions. In SAP, transaction OPU3 is where the magic starts. This is where you define scheduling parameters for your Order Type. There’s one tiny checkbox that makes a huge difference: "Generate Capacity Requirements." 
  • If this is ticked, all Production Orders created with that Order Type will be included in capacity planning.
  • If it’s not, well... SAP will pretend those orders don’t exist when it’s calculating available capacity. 
So yes, whether production orders are considered in capacity planning hinges on this checkbox. It’s that simple and that critical.

OPA2: The Selection Profile You Should Know About

Next up: OPA2. This is where you manage your selection profile for capacity evaluations. The standard one is usually SAPA010. 
Your selection profile determines what kinds of orders are considered in the planning run. You can choose to include: 
  • Planned Orders
  • Production Orders
  • Maintenance Orders
  • Process Orders
Want to include both Planned and Production Orders? Make sure your selection profile includes both. It’s literally just a config step but it often gets overlooked.

When Planned Orders Don't Show Up: Common Pitfalls

Ever had that “Where the heck is my planned order?” moment in a work center capacity evaluation? You’re not alone. Here are a few common missteps that might be hiding them:

1. OPU5 – Scheduling Type

This transaction defines how scheduling is carried out for Planned Orders. You’ll want to ensure that a proper Scheduling Type (like Backward or Forward) is assigned. Without this, SAP can’t evaluate the dates and, consequently, can’t calculate capacity.

2. OPPQ – BOM and Routing Selection

If your system isn’t properly pulling in the BOM (Bill of Materials) and Routing during planning, then there’s no foundation for capacity calculation. Make sure your config uses valid selection IDs, typically: 
  • BOM selection ID: 01
  • Routing selection ID: 01 
Otherwise, it’s like trying to bake a cake without picking a recipe. SAP won’t know what resources are needed.

Real-World Scenario: Missing Orders in CM01

Let’s say you're using CM01 to check capacity loads. You just ran MRP and expected a flood of Planned Orders to show up. But instead? Crickets. 

What gives? 

Usually, it's because: 

  • The selection profile doesn’t include Planned Orders.
  • OPU5 wasn’t properly configured.
  • The routing wasn’t picked up due to a faulty selection ID. 
We’ve all been there. A quick configuration check usually solves the mystery.

Advanced Tip: Use User-Specific Profiles for Capacity Evaluations

Here’s a power move: create custom selection profiles based on your role. Maybe planners want to see Planned Orders, but production supervisors only care about real Production Orders. Fine-tune the view so each role sees what matters most. 

This not only improves system performance (less clutter) but also reduces confusion—because let’s be honest, SAP already throws enough at us.

Bonus: Impact of Order Status on Capacity

Don’t forget: order status plays a role too. For example:
  • TECO (Technically Completed) Production Orders are typically excluded from capacity planning.
  • Orders that are Released (REL) are considered active and included. 
So if orders aren’t showing up, check their status. It's not just config—it’s the lifecycle stage that can impact planning visibility.

Final Thoughts: It’s All in the Configuration

At the end of the day, SAP doesn’t arbitrarily include or exclude orders from capacity planning. It does exactly what you tell it to do. Which is both empowering and slightly terrifying. 

So here’s your quick checklist:

1. OPU3 – Tick “Generate Capacity Requirements” for the Order Type.
2. OPA2 – Use a selection profile (like SAPA010) that includes both Planned and Production Orders.
3. OPU5 – Make sure Planned Orders have a valid Scheduling Type.
4. OPPQ – Ensure BOM and Routing selection IDs are valid (e.g., 01 and 01).
5. Check order statuses - TECO or deleted orders won’t show. 
If you follow these steps, SAP will give you a crystal-clear view of your capacity situation. And honestly? That kind of visibility is gold when you’re juggling deadlines, resources, and supply chain chaos.

FAQs

1. What is the main difference between Planned Orders and Production Orders in SAP?

Planned Orders are proposals generated by MRP, while Production Orders are actual executable work orders released for production.

2. Can I choose whether to include Planned Orders in SAP capacity planning?

Yes, you can include them by configuring the right selection profile (e.g., in transaction OPA2) and ensuring scheduling is set up correctly in OPU5.

3. Why are my Production Orders not showing in capacity planning?

Check if "Generate Capacity Requirements" is ticked in OPU3. Also, ensure the orders are not completed or deleted.

4. What if Planned Orders are missing in CM01 or CM21?

Verify the selection profile includes them, check scheduling type in OPU5, and confirm valid routing and BOM selections in OPPQ.

5. Do all order statuses affect capacity planning visibility?

Yes, only active orders (e.g., REL) are typically considered. Orders with statuses like TECO or DLFL are excluded by default.

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