How To Fix IW038 - Controlling area of component (&1) differs from order (&2)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: IW - Order Processing

• Message number: 038

• Message text: Controlling area of component (&1) differs from order (&2)

What causes this issue?

You want to schedule the material &v1& for this
<DS:GLOS.maintenance_order>maintenance order</> or
<DS:GLOS.service_order>service order</>. However, this is not possible
because the material is assigned to a <DS:GLOS.plant>plant</> that is
in a different <DS:GLOS.controlling_area>controlling area</> to that of
the order.

System Response

INCLUDE KEINE-FUNKTION OBJECT DOKU ID TX LANGUAGE EN

How to fix this error?

Assign a material to the order that belongs to the same controlling
area as the order, or create material &v1& in a plant of the
controlling area that is valid for the order.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message IW038 - Controlling area of component (&1) differs from order (&2) ?

  The SAP error message IW038 indicates that there is a mismatch between the controlling area of a component and the controlling area of the order in the system. This typically occurs in the context of maintenance orders, production orders, or other order types that involve cost accounting.
  Cause:
  The error arises when you attempt to assign or process a component (such as a material or service) that belongs to a different controlling area than the order you are working with. Each order in SAP is assigned to a specific controlling area, which is used for cost tracking and reporting. If the component's controlling area does not match the order's controlling area, the system will generate this error.
  Solution:
  To resolve the IW038 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check the Controlling Area of the Order:
  
  Navigate to the order in question (e.g., using transaction code IW32 for maintenance orders).
  Verify the controlling area assigned to the order.
  
  
  
  Check the Controlling Area of the Component:
  
  Identify the component that is causing the error.
  Check the material master data for the component (using transaction code MM03) to see which controlling area it is assigned to.
  
  
  
  Align the Controlling Areas:
  
  If the component and the order are indeed in different controlling areas, you will need to either:
  
  Change the controlling area of the order to match the component (if appropriate).
  Change the component to be associated with the same controlling area as the order (if feasible).
  
  
  This may involve creating a new order or adjusting the component's master data.
  
  
  
  Consult with Finance/Controlling Team:
  
  If you are unsure about making changes to controlling areas, consult with your finance or controlling team to ensure that any changes align with your organization's accounting practices.
  
  
  
  Review Configuration:
  
  If this issue occurs frequently, it may be worth reviewing the configuration settings in SAP related to controlling areas and order types to ensure they are set up correctly.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  IW32: Change Order
  IW33: Display Order
  MM03: Display Material
  OX19: Maintain Controlling Area
  
  
  
  SAP Notes:
  
  Check SAP Notes for any known issues or additional guidance related to this error message.
  
  
  
  Documentation:
  
  Review SAP documentation on controlling areas, order management, and material management for a deeper understanding of how these elements interact.
  
  
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the IW038 error and implement a solution to resolve it.