How To Fix AJ686 - Number of seasons is greater than the number of output operands

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: AJ - Billing program

• Message number: 686

• Message text: Number of seasons is greater than the number of output operands

What causes this issue?

You have defined more season periods than corresponding output operands
that are available in this variant.

System Response

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

How to fix this error?

Adjust the number of season periods, so that the number of
corresponding output operands is not exceeded.

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message AJ686 - Number of seasons is greater than the number of output operands ?

  The SAP error message AJ686, which states "Number of seasons is greater than the number of output operands," typically occurs in the context of the SAP system when dealing with planning or forecasting functions, particularly in the context of the SAP Integrated Business Planning (IBP) or SAP Advanced Planning and Optimization (APO) modules.
  Cause:
  This error generally arises when there is a mismatch between the number of seasons defined in your planning or forecasting model and the number of output operands that the system is configured to handle. Specifically, it indicates that the model is trying to process more seasonal data than it has been set up to output.
  Possible Causes:
  
  Configuration Issues: The planning model may be incorrectly configured, leading to an inconsistency between the number of seasons and the output operands.
  Data Input Errors: There may be an issue with the data being fed into the model, such as incorrect season definitions or missing data.
  Model Changes: If changes were made to the planning model (e.g., adding more seasons) without adjusting the output operands accordingly, this error can occur.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the AJ686 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Configuration:
  
  Review the configuration of your planning model to ensure that the number of seasons defined matches the number of output operands.
  Adjust the configuration to align the number of seasons with the output operands.
  
  
  
  Review Data Inputs:
  
  Verify the data inputs to ensure that they are correctly defined and that there are no discrepancies in the seasonal data.
  Ensure that all necessary data for the defined seasons is available and correctly formatted.
  
  
  
  Adjust Output Operands:
  
  If you have added seasons to your model, make sure to update the output operands to accommodate the additional seasons.
  This may involve modifying the planning function or the output settings in the planning area.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Refer to the SAP documentation for your specific version of the software to understand the expected configurations and any limitations regarding seasons and output operands.
  
  
  
  Testing:
  
  After making adjustments, run a test to ensure that the error is resolved and that the planning function operates as expected.
  
  
  
  Seek Support:
  
  If the issue persists, consider reaching out to SAP support or consulting with an SAP expert who can provide more tailored assistance based on your specific configuration and requirements.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error or provide additional troubleshooting steps.
  Community Forums: Engage with SAP community forums or user groups where similar issues may have been discussed, and solutions shared.
  Training and Documentation: Ensure that your team is trained on the proper configuration and use of the planning tools within SAP to prevent similar issues in the future.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the root cause of the AJ686 error and implement a solution to resolve it.